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Papers, polls, Q&A items, and comments on this page are oriented to topics and issues associated with the methods and techniques used to measure driver distraction. Feel free to post comments on issues outlined below, or in response to papers, polls, and/or questions submitted to our expert panel. These discussions are meant to emphasize questions of scientific rigor for research and evaluation efforts. A moderator has been assigned to periodically synthesize comments, keep discussions focused and moving, emphasize key points, and offer additional insights into related issues.
DISCUSSION ISSUES/TOPICS
Methods, Measures & Tools
- How can driver distraction be safely and rigorously studied in normal driving? How valid are studies that use test tracks, simulators, or laboratory methods?
- What measures (dependent variables) are meaningful indices of driver distraction? How do these relate to roadway safety outcomes?
- What technologies (e.g., physiological monitoring), devices (e.g., eye trackers), or analytic techniques (e.g., steering control inputs) can be used to capture measures of distraction?
- Are there good models that allow you to predict the distracting effects or crash risks associated with a particular distractor?
- What, if any, mechanisms are needed to aid in the investigation of technology related crashes and what tools are needed to support these efforts?
Research Needs
- What are the important unanswered questions relating to the scientific measurement of driver distraction? Where should research resources be directed?
Content Available In Each Topic Area
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Comment |
Ask the Expert |
Poll |
Methods, Measures & Tools |
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Association Between Cellular-Telephone Calls and Motor Vehicle Collisions 5/18/00 10:36:46 AM
Measuring Driver Visual Distraction with a Peripheral Detection Task 5/18/00 11:12:37 AM
A Technical Platform for Driver Inattention Research 5/18/00 1:34:17 PM
The Development of a Design Evaluation Tool and Model of Attention Demand 5/18/00 1:34:25 PM
Divided Attention Ability of Young and Older Drivers 5/30/00 1:12:17 PM
Driver Workload Assessment of Route Guidance System Destination Entry While Driving: A Test Track Study 5/30/00 5:41:52 PM
Proposed Driver Workload Metrics and Methods Project 5/31/00 5:09:07 PM
Measuring distraction: the Peripheral Detection Task 6/1/00 11:58:18 AM
Need a way to track collisions where Cellular is being used. 7/5/00 2:52:06 PM
Some states do collect this data 7/6/00 9:03:20 AM
2nd and 3rd degree causes 7/8/00 7:27:54 PM
NHTSA data-base 7/9/00 8:23:25 PM
Can slow speeds cause accidents? 7/10/00 12:16:31 AM
distracting dolphins 7/12/00 11:20:43 AM
Cellular Phone Turns 7/12/00 1:36:14 PM
Cellular Phone Turns 7/12/00 1:37:15 PM
Please Explain (see full question below) 7/14/00 10:06:46 AM
Why not use horse blinders 7/18/00 3:49:28 PM
Driver responsability 7/18/00 4:30:21 PM
Measuring and Taxing the Social Costs of Distracted Drivers 7/18/00 4:32:06 PM
Accidents 7/18/00 6:20:24 PM
Driver testing 7/18/00 6:27:38 PM
Nip it in the Bud 7/18/00 8:16:16 PM
Drunk Driving Analogy 7/19/00 8:42:44 AM
Promising research direction 7/19/00 11:15:13 AM
Cell phones receiving undue criticism 7/19/00 12:04:04 PM
Responsible Drivers Need Help! 7/20/00 7:51:11 PM
Cellular Phone Turns 7/20/00 11:44:02 PM
Punishment to meet the crime 7/20/00 11:54:56 PM
Nip it in the ????? 7/21/00 12:11:20 AM
Drunk driving analogy II 7/21/00 12:20:41 AM
Promises promises 7/21/00 12:26:37 AM
Marge needs help! 7/21/00 12:34:59 AM
Reasonable assumptions 7/21/00 12:48:35 AM
Distractions 7/21/00 11:56:23 PM
Daytime Running Lights 7/26/00 7:13:04 AM
Moderator Comments and Questions 7/28/00 7:28:28 AM Richard Hanowski (Moderator) Academia/ Research Firm
Much of the discussion has focused on cell phones, which is perhaps the most prevalent and familiar "new" technology that drivers use in their vehicles. However, it is only a matter of time before we see the proliferation of other more complex in-vehicle communication/information systems (e.g., infotainment systems, Auto PC). In addition, we will certainly see many companies selling their own versions of these different systems (in the same way you can buy cell phones from Motorola, Nokia, etc.). One of the purposes of measuring distraction when drivers interact with these systems is so that the designs of these systems, and the ways that they are used, can be optimized and made safe (in terms of driving performance). In Dr. Dingus's "ask the expert" response, three parameters for measuring safety were noted: average glance length, number of glances, and frequency of use. The importance of these measures implies, correctly I believe, that drivers need to spend most of their time looking at the roadway (and paying attention to the "primary" task of driving). Do people have other ideas of measures that might indicate whether or not a driver is safely able to operate their vehicle and interact with the system in question? In an earlier post, Michael Rudmin talked about "user distraction" and "location distraction." Some researchers have suggested that "hands-off-wheel" time be considered, however such a measure would not be appropriate for the "Dophin" system described in a post by Barry Hackett (where the distraction is only visual). Assuming that suitable metrics can be combined into a single safety or "distraction value," should consumers expect to see a safety-rating on all systems so that they can make relative safety judgements between systems, and across different types of systems? (Sort of like crash ratings that NHTSA puts out on different vehicles). Also, should systems that don't meet a minimal "distraction value" not be permitted for use by a driver in a moving vehicle? And, would consumers (or readers of this message board) want to see such safety-ratings on these products? Rich Hanowski (Moderator)
Slow speed or relative speed? 7/30/00 3:59:16 PM
Criticism long overdue 7/31/00 2:35:08 AM
Primary task of driving 7/31/00 7:49:23 PM
In evaluating the safety impacts of in-vehicle technologies, what are appropriate baseline or comparative tasks? 8/1/00 1:05:43 PM
What about using specific non-technology tasks as baselines to evaluate safety risks? 8/2/00 3:04:48 PM
In your opinion, what is the single most important measure for understanding driver distraction? Why? 8/7/00 8:05:29 AM
Research article on driver distraction from RoSPA 8/8/00 5:46:27 PM
comment to 'nip it in the bud' 8/8/00 5:55:08 PM
Where is the reference from the RoSPA? 8/9/00 11:28:20 AM
Mr. Murray, please 8/9/00 2:03:41 PM
I have that reference 8/9/00 2:56:15 PM
driver distraction and driver workload: not the same thing 8/9/00 3:53:52 PM
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