Developement of methods to evaluate driver distraction caused by advanced traveler information systems (ATIS)
Partner
BMW® (Bayerische Motorenwerke)
Description
The use of visual information displays in vehicles has continually grown in recent years. The intended purpose of such aids is increased convenience and operating safety. However, it is still unknown, whether new additional systems produce information overload in the driver, thus having negative effects on driving safety. Therefore, it is necessary to provide developers with methods for the evaluation of design concepts already in early stages of the design process.
Occlusion
One of the main topics of this project is to assess the validity and practicability of the occlusion method as a method to evaluate driver distraction caused by ATIS. During an occlusion test the participant has to perform an ATIS task while his sight to the ATIS display is periodically occluded. The method allows to systematically control the length of the occlusion and the viewing intervals. As a measure of the visual demand of the ATIS task the time to perform the task under occlusion condition is compared to the time to perform the task under normal sight condition. If for example both are the same one would conclude that the visual demand of the ATIS task is low. Our results (please see our references list) indicate that the occlusion method is a promising candidate as a method to evaluate visual demand and interruptability of ATIS tasks. Furthermore, an International Standard - ISO 16673 - exists.
Peripheral Detection Task
Another promising approach we are examining in a series of experiments is the peripheral detection task (PDT). Here, visual stimuli are presented at different locations in the peripheral visual field and people have to respond as fast as possible to these stimuli while performing an ATIS task. The response times and hit rates for these peripheral stumuli are measured. They are then used to assess the visual and cognitive workload caused by the ATIS task.
Contact
People
Diana Rösler, Gunnar Wittig, Evi Kneisl, Christiane Schwier
