WTI

Haptic & Auditory Interfaces As A Collision Avoidance Technique During Run-Off and Head-On Collisions & Driver Perception of Modalities

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Haptic & Auditory Interfaces as a Collision Avoidance Technique During Roadway Departures & Driver Perception
   1. Laura Stanley
   2. 4W0767_Final_Report.pdf
2. Executive Summary
   1. Laura Stanley
   2. 4W0767_Executive_Summary.pdf

Project Objective

To better understand basic human factor principles to haptic (touch) and auditory (sound) interfaces as a collision avoidance technique during run-off-road and head-on collisions, as well as how drivers perceive each type of interface.

Project Abstract

Roadway departure fatalities, which include run-off-road and head-on collisions, accounted for 55 percent of all roadway fatalities in the United States in 2003. In an effort to reduce the number of roadway departures, many transportation agencies have introduced static rumble strips in shoulder and/or centerline sections of the roadway. Recently, more advanced technology has been developed in the form of in-vehicle advanced lane departure systems. These systems are currently showing their value in some commercial trucks in Europe, and are soon to become available in U.S. passenger cars. Two critical factors will govern their ultimate success: • Their ability to warn the driver in an effective and timely manner to make the correct action• Their success in gaining the driver’s trust and acceptance Data will be collected in Western Transportation Institute’s driving simulation laboratory. This laboratory is equipped with a 36 square meter light and sound controlled room containing a DriveSafety500C simulator running HyperDirveTM Simulation Authoring Suite software and VectionTM simulation software version 1.9.8. The simulator is comprised of a cut-down 1996 Saturn SL sedan cab with fully functional controls, five rear projection plasma displays arranged in a semicircle around the front of the cab provides a 150-degree field of view and rear-view mirror, five audio speakers, a simulator operator station and association computers. Using the WTI Driving Simulation Laboratory, fifteen subjects will drive a simulated road segment during which time they will each receive three alerting sensory modalities: haptic (seat vibration), auditory (“rumble strip” sound), and combined auditory and haptic sensory warnings. Most importantly, a pilot study will be conducted prior to testing to control for sources of error and to establish proper intensity levels (decibel of auditory signal, frequency and amplitude of vibration) for the sensory modalities. From this study researchers will:• Determine appropriate and comparable intensities for the auditory and haptic signal• Compare driver responses to variations in haptic (seat vibration), auditory (“rumble strip” sound), and combined modalities of auditory and haptic• Determine driver perception and acceptance of the presented modalities as a collision avoidance warning technique on a rural two-way two-lane road.

Task Descriptions

1. Conduct Pilot Testing
   1. To develop a protocol for determining the appropriate decibel level of the auditory signal and intensity of vibration to be used in the modality presentations. By performing cross-modality matching the subject will match the magnitude of a stimulus across a stimulus modality. A psychophysical experiment will be conducted on ten pilot subjects (equal in age and gender) to determine the magnitude of the haptic sensation that will be necessary to warn the driver that is in equal magnitude as the auditory warning.
2. Implement Driving Simulator Testing
   1. Using the WTI Driving Simulation Laboratory, fifteen subjects will drive a simulated road segment on three separate occasions. During each simulation the subject will receive one of three alerting sensory modalities: haptic (seat vibration), auditory (“rumble strip” sound), and combined auditory and haptic sensory warnings. After completing all three driving scenarios all subjects will complete a questionnaire rating the following characteristics: benefit to driving, purchasing likelihood, level of trust, annoyance, interference, appropriateness, urgency and overall preference.
3. Evaluation
   1. Based on the Driving Simulator Testing and completed follow-up questionnaire, WTI Researchers will determine driver perception and acceptance of the presented modalities as a collision avoidance warning technique during run-off-road and head-on collisions on rural roads. The findings will be presented in a final report.
4. Project management
   1. Initiate project and provide project management throughout the duration of the project.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

False

Technology Transfer Activities

False

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Rural transportation, intelligent transportation systems, driving simulator, haptic, auditory

Partners

Research and Innovative Technology Administration