HAROLD

Lead Research Organisation: University of Leeds
Department Name: Institute for Transport Studies

Abstract

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Description Using a series of driving simulator studies, we have studied driver response and eye movements during day and night time driving. Specifically, we have considered how engagement in tasks that take drivers' mind off the driving task (such as handsfree phone conversations), affect detection of peripheral targets, such as crossing pedestrians. We have studied the behaviour of younger and older drivers in this context.
Preliminary results show that detection is later when drivers are engaged in the distracting task. Older drivers find engaging in the distraction task challenging, especially at night. Both old and young drivers' vehicle control is affected by engaging in the distraction task.
Exploitation Route This work is immensely relevant to understanding driver behaviour at the present time, with drivers' attention being caught by many systems both in and out of the vehicle. These include messages and warnings presented by the vehicle's own devices, demand from nomadic devices, such as mobile phones, and simple disraction imposed by everyday demands of a busy life in the 21st century.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Transport
 
Description The work in HAROLD has focused on how engagement in "cognitively distracting tasks" affects driver detection of peripheral targets. Research has illustrated that tasks which take drivers' mind off the road, such as engaging in a handsfree phone conversations, causes a "freezing" of drivers' eye gaze towards the road centre area, reducing chances of detecting peripheral targets. Engagement in such purely cogntive tasks (which do not necessarily take drivers' eyes away from the road centre) could be detrimental to detection of objects in areas other than the road centre, including pedestrians. Engagement in such tasks by drivers is known to reduce gaze towards other safety critical areas such as the side or rear view mirrors. Through a series of driving simulator studies, we have studied driver detection of artificial peripheral targets (study 1) and crossing pedestrians (studies 2 and 3), during day time and night time conditions. We have also compared response by younger and older drivers. Preliminary results show lower detection of peripheral targets when drivers are engaged in a secondary cognitive task (the artificial N-back task, which is thought to require the same demands as a handsfree telephone conversation). Results also show differences in performance between younger and older drivers, with recommendation in place regarding tranining needs for both age groups. A final dissemination event with all recommendations from the project is planned for Autumn 2024.
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Transport
Impact Types Societal

Economic
 
Description Overview of current understanding in driver distraction 
Organisation AECOM Technology Corporation
Department AECOM, Nottingham, UK
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The team has been advising the Department for Transport and CCAV on research needs for mitigating driver distraction
Collaborator Contribution A joint project to identify areas for further research in this area
Impact A report with recommendations for further research has been prepared between the two teams and we are awaiting news of follow on funding
Start Year 2022
 
Description Literature review and expert workshop - Department for Transport 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact An expert workshop with industrial, policymakers and academic partners with an expertise in driver distraction, to inform further research by the UK DfT
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Panel Discussion DDI 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact International Panel Discussion about the prevalence of distraction and inattention on the road
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://ddi2022.org/2022-program/