The impact of smart driving aids on driving performance and driver distraction


Organisation: Brunel University (Ergonomics Research Group)
Date uploaded: 30th May 2012
Date published/launched: November 2011


This study evaluates the impact that two prototype ergonomic designs for a smart driving aid (in vehicle information systems) have on workload, distraction and driving performance.

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In-vehicle information systems (IVIS) have been shown to increase driver workload and cause distraction, both of which are causal factors for accidents. This simulator study evaluates the impact that two prototype ergonomic designs for a smart driving aid have on workload, distraction and driving performance. Scenario complexity was also manipulated as an independent variable.

Results showed that real-time delivery of smart driving information did not increase driver workload or adversely affect driver distraction, while also having the positive effect of decreasing mean driving speed in both the simple and complex driving scenarios. Subjective workload was shown to increase with task difficulty, as well as revealing important differences between the two interface designs.

The findings are relevant to the development and implementation of smart driving interface designs in the future.

For more information contact:
Dr Stewart Birrell

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