Investigating the Immediate Effects of Periodic Alerts to Assist in Maintenance of Vigilance During Automated Vehicle Operation
This paper describes how, with the advancement of technology, the presence of automated systems has continued to increase in a variety of environments, including ground transportation. A continuing challenge with increased automation is designing systems that help operators stay in the loop, thus ensuring that they will be able to react when necessary. The means of countering vigilance decrements associated with automation have ranged from such devices as “Dead Man” switches to more complex computer-based interventions that require constant operator attention. This study examined the utility of periodic auditory alerts that required a response by the operator. Fourteen adults drove under automated control in one practice drive and three study drives with a total duration of approximately 75 minutes. At the end of each drive, participants rated their fatigue using a visual analog scale. During two of the three study drives, participants were presented with periodic alerts that required acknowledgement by pressing a button located on the operator’s armrest. The immediate effects of these alerts on the operator were recorded. Analysis of the data revealed that operators acknowledged all of the alerts but that there was no statistical difference in reaction time between operator state conditions. Additional analyses revealed that following the alert, operators were more likely to observe the environment outside the cab and were more awake. This study provides useful insights into the effects of periodic alerts used to assist operators of automated control vehicles.
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Corporate Authors:
National Advanced Driving Simulator
University of Iowa, 2401 Oakdale Boulevard
Iowa City, IA United States 52242-5003 -
Authors:
- Dow, Ben
- Brown, Timothy L
- Roe, Cheryl
- Schwarz, Chris
- Bonefas, Zach
- Duncan, Jerry
- Sanchez, Julian
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Conference:
- Driving Simulation Conference, North America 2007 (DSC-NA 2007)
- Location: Iowa City IA, United States
- Date: 2007-9-12 to 2007-9-14
- Publication Date: 2007
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: CD-ROM
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 10p
- Monograph Title: Driving Simulation Conference, North America 2007
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Alertness; Automated vehicle control for ground vehicles; Automation; Drivers; Driving simulators; Human factors in crashes; Technological innovations; Vehicle operations
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01139833
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Sep 18 2009 7:07AM