Search Results

This paper discusses radio usage habits observed during analysis of 700 hours of video sampled from the 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study database. Analysts used large-scale printouts of each vehicle's radio faceplate and recorded interactions based on video analysis of hand movement and location (without the assistance of audio recordings). The duration and specific manipulations or adjustments were recorded for each interaction. The results summarize the length and type of interactions, most often-used controls, and total percentage of time drivers interacted with the radio.

Two navigation systems, one a turn-by-turn and the other a moving-map, were compared using the same routes and waypoints in the area of Roanoke, VA. Challenges as a result of their varying algorithms used to determine route guidance were overcome in finding a common route between the two systems. The study was designed to be conducted without an in-vehicle experimenter. This approach was thought important to reduce potential experimental biases. The methodology described provides a low-cost, valid method to test way-finding using the actual system in its actual driving environment. The purpose of this paper is not to discuss the benefit of a moving-map system as compared to a turn-by-turn system, but to discuss the methodology of this way-finding study conducted without an in-vehicle experimenter. Suggested data to collect and/or analyze as well as lessons learned are also discussed.

This research compared driver detection performance with low-beam halogen headlamps supplemented by a General Motors production Night Vision system to low-beam halogen headlamps alone. This research was conducted with 18 participants between the ages of 40 and 70 years on a 3.2km (2-mile) section of closed road. Participants encountered seven scenarios, including crossing or standing pedestrians dressed in either white or black clothing. Additional scenarios included pedestrians in a curve and near an oncoming glare vehicle, as well a tire tread. Results indicated that the GM Night Vision system improved drivers' detection distances in nearly all pedestrian scenarios examined.

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) systems are intended to alert drivers when they may be at risk of a rear-end crash with a vehicle directly ahead unless they take immediate action. A forward collision visual alert (FCVA) is recommended as part of a multi-modality FCW system crash alert approach also including auditory and/or haptic crash alert components. SAE J2400 recommends that a conventional dashboard location shall not be used for the FCVA, since such an alert may distract the driver from the crash threat ahead (instead of helping the driver visually orient toward the crash threat). This research examined the merit of this recommendation by examining the effectiveness of instrument panel, head-up display, and (vehicle-centerline) top-of-dashboard FCVA candidates. In this static on-road study, 49 subjects (20–70 years old) made rapid judgments on the presence and nature of scene changes over two successive forward scene exposures controlled by a visual occlusion window.