Complexity of Driving Tasks: An Analysis of Compensation and Performance Effects in Longitudinal Driving Behavior

摘要

Complexity of the driving task has been shown to have a substantial influence on longitudinaldriving behavior. In the proposed theoretical framework changes in longitudinal drivingbehavior are divided into compensation and performance effects. It is however not yet clear towhat extent changes in the complexity of the driving task actually leads to compensation andperformance effects. To this end in this contribution we report the results of a driving simulatorstudy aimed at simulation a complex driving condition (i.e., narrow lanes with roadside concretebarriers). Through analyses we show that a change in the complexity if the driving task has asubstantial influence on compensation effects, represented by changes in speed and spacing. Wealso show that a substantial influence on performance can be observed, represented by changes inthe perceptual thresholds, changes in the sensitivity of accelerations towards lead vehicle relatedstimuli and so-called inter-decision times (elapsed times between changes in acceleration). Thecontribution finishes with a discussion and recommendations for future research. It is recommendedto develop a mathematical model incorporating compensation and performance effectsin driving behavior.