NC DOT RESEARCH FY2012

Objectives, experiment design, simulation scenario, in-vehicle

information design…

Objectives and Research Expectations• Characterize driver use of guide and logo signs under normal and competing

interest situations.– In terms of driver visual attention distribution and vehicle control

• Compare attentional loads associated with guide and logo signs.• Hypotheses:

– H1 – Greater visual distraction from road due to logo vs. guide for destination identification.

– H2 – Distraction due to roadway signs inflated by use of in-vehicle information system for navigation (combined effect of sign and aid use).

– H3 – In-vehicle information system will draw greater visual attention than use of signs.

– H4 – Drivers will prioritize hazard negotiation (focus on roadway) over nav aid or sign use.

– H5 – Driver vehicle control will be degraded by sign use.– H6 – Performance decrements due to sign use will be inflated by use of in-vehicle

information system for nav.– H7 – Vehicle control performance will improve during hazard negotiation (vs.

under distracted driving conditions).

Experiment Design

Trial ID # of Panels Location of Construction Zone Navigation Use

Control N/A N/A Off

1 6 Early On

2 6 Early Off

3 6 Late On

4 6 Late Off

5 9 Early On

6 9 Early Off

7 9 Late On

8 9 Late Off

2 miles

65

Lane 1 (L1)

L2

Exit 11 (E11)

POST INTERCHANGE

Signage

• Pay attention to guide signs• Subject to call out current destination name

and distance

Rhine 2

Peele 6

Morto 11

65 mph

Maintain normal speed

RhineJoran1 mi

11

Exit 11

Think Loud

• Call out recite availability/exit No.• e.g., I see there is a Hardee’s at Exit 11.

(Experimenter records sign detection result.)

RhineJoran½ mi

11

600 1700 8001400 2800

FOODLODGING GAS

80080010001400

StartDriving

• Start from the right (outside) lane:• Ask subject to move to left (inside) lane whenever they see an overhead guide

sign for an exit they are not taking.• Ask subject to move to right (outside) lane after an exit merge in.

• Provide target destination:• Nearby Science Museum in town of Peele Kitts using Exit 14.• Need to take the least time to get to the museum

• Ask subject to call out sign/distance when they encounter signs and pass overpass.• Food sign: Hardee’s

• Instruct subject to obey speed limit signs.

1400

Think Loud

• Call out name/distance• e.g., I see my destination, Peele, which is

in 6 miles. (Experimenter records sign detection result.)

Exit 14Exit 11

Jaspe

EXIT 1130 Circle

RhineJoran

4.5 miles

L1

L2

E14

6565

45 mph

Reduce speed before construction zone

65 mph

Return to normal speed

Exit 14

Overpass

PeeleKitts1 mi

14

PeeleKitts½ mi

148001000 800 2800

18603300

40080015002160

FOODLODGING GASPOSTINTERCHANGE

1440 800

Peele 4

Morto 8

Lenta 11

End work zone

11001500

StartNAV Task

ROUTE CHANGE• Change target destination to Lenta

(Exit 23)• Remember destination name (Lenta)

& exit number (23)• Start NAV system use

45

RoadWork1 mi

RightLane Closed

½ mi

10001640

POSTINTERCHANGE

1200work zone

Exit 20Exit 14

Jaspe

EXIT 1471 US Route

PeeleKitts

E20

Morto 4

Lenta 7

Keene 10

Overpass

6565

Exit 20

POST INTERCHANGE

4.5 miles

MortoMaste1 mi

20

MortoMaste½ mi

20800 800 2800800700120012401960

FOODLODGING GAS

1000186060012040

• Change lane to a target dest. (Exit 23)• Remember

exit name & Number

Exit 23Exit 20

Jaspe

EXIT 2067 CircleMortoMaste

E23

StopDriving

• Change lane for target dest. (Exit 23)• Remember

exit name & number

Lenta 2

Keene 6

Jaspe 13

Overpass

65

Exit 23

POST INTERCHANGE

2.5 miles

Lenta Notch1 mi

23

Lenta Notch½ mi

23

1960 10001440 700 1000 800 800 2800

FOODLODGING GAS

8001400960

Exit 26Exit 23

Jaspe

EXIT 2322 Circle

LentaNotch

1

2

3 4

5

6

7