Evaluating Distraction and Disengagement of Attention from the Road

摘要

Drivers use sat nav for navigation assistance but research links sat nav with risk of distraction. Visual and cognitive workload can be increased as drivers divert their attention from the road. Mitigating such risks is vital and head-up displays (HUDs) can be beneficial. HUDs present images on the windshield to reduce diversion of drivers' attention from the road. This paper presents a driving simulator experiment which examined how 30 participants behaved with three navigation interfaces; novel virtual car HUD, arrow HUD and sat nav to outline potential benefits of the virtual car HUD over the arrow HUD and sat nav. Distraction-related data (speed, headway, lane position and peripheral detection) were gathered. The findings showed participants were better at navigation performance and peripheral detection with the virtual car HUD. Subjective data showed participants rated the virtual car HUD easiest to use, least distracting and most preferred interface.