Gaze position modulates the effectiveness of forward collision warnings for drowsy drivers. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gaspar, John G.; Schwarz, Chris W.; Brown, Timothy L.; Kang, Julie
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 126(2019)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Drowsiness -- Driving -- Advanced driver assistance systems -- Forward collision warning; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.12.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Abstract: Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have the potential to prevent crashes and reduce their severity. Forward collision warnings (FCW) are quickly becoming standard across vehicle lineups and may prevent frontal crashes by alerting drivers. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of FCW for distracted drivers, but their effectiveness for other types of impairment remains unknown. Like distraction, drowsiness can impair driver response time and lead to crashes. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of FCW for moderately and severely drowsy drivers using a high-fidelity driving simulator. Drowsy drivers were divided into three warning conditions during a revealed stop vehicle forward collision event: An auditory alert, a haptic seat vibration, and a no warning baseline. Results indicate that FCW were effective at speeding drowsy driver response, but only when the drowsy drivers were looking away from the forward roadway at the onset of the event. These results have important implications for ADAS technology and driver state monitoring systems.