Driver distraction research

Monk, C. A., D. A. Boehm-Davis and J. G. Trafton (2004a). Recovering from interruptions implications for driver distraction research. Hum. Fact, 46(4), 650-663. 

Part 4 is a collection of human factors interventions from the different indnstry modes. It will introdnce the concept that human error is indeed ubicpiitous and therefore, its management should be approached from multiple applications training and development, leadership and supervision, situational awareness, distraction management etc. Novel elements in this part include research on driver distraction, medical team resource management, a new look at situational awareness, rail risk management and fatigue management in the medical field. 

A wide range of entertainment, information and communication and advanced driver assistance systems are finding their way into the car cockpit. Whilst these can greatly enhance the safety, enjoyment, and amenity of driving, the potential benefits to be derived from them could be compromised if they are used inappropriately and poorly designed. The critical human factors issues that will underpin the effectiveness of these systems are discussed, with a particular focus on advanced driver assistance systems. Some research undertaken at the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MU ARC) that bears on these issues is presented, including recent research on driver distraction. 

This chapter examines some of the key hrrman factors issues that will underpin the effectiveness of ADAS technologies, arrd describes some research bearing on these issues that has been urrdertaken by MUARC. Driver distraction is probably the first significant hitman factors issue to emerge as a by-product of the vehicle cockpit revolution, fuelled more by the proliferation of entertainment and information and communication systems than by ADAS technologies. Some current MUARC projects on this topic are also described. 

Salmon, R, Yormg, K. and Regan, M.A. (2005), Bus Driver Distraction Analysis of Risk for State Transit Authority New South Wales Bus Drivers, Report Prepared for State Transit Authority New South Wales by the, Clayton Monash University Accident Research Centre. 

Yormg, K. andRegarr, M.A. andHarrrmer, M., (2003), Driver Distraction A Review of the Literature , Morrash Urriversity Acciderrt Research Cerrtre. Report 206. Melbourne, Australia. 

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that driver inattention, in its various forms, contributes to approximately 25 per cent of police-reported crashes. Driver distraction is one form of driver inattention and is claimed to be a contributing factor in over half of inattention crashes (Stutts etal, 2001). 

There are a number of priority areas for research on driver distraction. Areas in which our knowledge is particular limited are driver exposure to distraction the self-regulatory strategies that drivers use to cope with distraction ergonomic design... 

FIGURE 4.6 The risk monitor model (RMM). (From Vaa, T. 2013. Driver Distraction and Inattention Advances in Research and Countermeasures. London Ashgate, pp. 103-122. With permission.)... 

Source Data from Olson, R.L. et al. 2009. Driver distraction in commercial vehicle operations, final report. Report No. FMCSA-RRR-09-042. Washington, DC Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, http //www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/report/FMCSA-RRR-09-042.pdf. 

Young, K., M. Regan and M. Hammer (2003). Driver distraction a review of the literature. Monash University Accident Research Center (MUARC), Report No. 206. Clayton, Victoria, AU. 

A 2008 University of Utah study said hands-free phone conversations put drivers in a mental fog that s more distracting than a conversation with passengers in the car. The research concluded that drivers are better able to synchronize the processing demands of driving with in-vehicle conversations than with cell phone conversations. 

Despite the frequency with which drivers eat and drink in the vehicle, surprisingly httle research has examined the impact of these activities on driving performance. The one study available suggests that, compared to driving with no distractions, eating is associated with a greater number of lane deviations and minimum speed... 

There is very httle evidence linking radio or CD players to crashes, and no known research evidence linking rrse of these devices to increased crash risk. Stutts et al. (2001) found that, of the crashes examined, 8.3 percent were the result of the driver being distracted by some everrt, object or activity inside or outside the vehicle, and 11.4 per cent of these crashes occrrrred when the driver was adjirsting the radio, audiocassette or CD player. No individiral data was reported for radio rrse. 

NOPUS (National Occuparrt Protection Use Survey) 2010. Driver electronic device use in 2009. Traffic safety facts Research note. Retrieved from www.distraction.gov/research/ PDF-Files/Driver-Electronic-Device-Use-2008.pdf. 

---