Examination of Drivers' Performance Using a Personalized Adaptive Curve Speed Warning: A Driving Simulator Study

摘要

A great number of traffic accidents occurs during curve negotiation maneuvers. Most of these accidents could be avoided if drivers are provided with more information regarding upcoming curves that better guide them through such maneuvers. Advanced Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS) such as Curve Speed Warning (CSW) have shown to be effective to maintain this goal and improve safety on curve maneuvers by warning drivers of the safe speed required to make a safe curve maneuver. Effectiveness of such warning systems can potentially improve if the warnings are not only adapted to road and traffic condition, but also adapted to individual drivers' behavior. In this study, an Adaptive Curve Speed Warning (ACSW) system is developed that presents drivers a two-level visual and audio warning considering the variation in individual drivers' perception-reaction time (PRT). Next, within the simulator environment, drivers' performance using ACSW is compared to a regular CSW that does not consider PRT variation among drivers. Further, variation in drivers' performance on curve maneuvers are discussed with respect to gender, curve direction, and curve advisory speed. Finally, results from drivers' feedback using each of the two systems are analyzed and discussed. The results of this study contribute to the development of more intelligent ADAS that can improve drivers' comfort and safety, and eventually can save lives.