Assessing Cognitive Distraction in the Automobile

Abstract

Objective:The objective was to establish a systematic framework for measuring and understanding cognitive distraction in the automobile.Background: Driver distraction from secondary in-vehicle activities is increasingly recognized as a significant source of injuries and fatalities on the roadway.Method: Across three studies, participants completed eight in-vehicle tasks commonly performed by the driver of an automobile. Primary, secondary, subjective, and physiological measures were collected and integrated into a cognitive distraction scale.Results: In-vehicle activities, such as listening to the radio or an audio book, were associated with a low level of cognitive workload; the conversation activities of talking to a passenger in the vehicle or conversing with a friend on a handheld or hands-free cell phone were associated with a moderate level of cognitive workload; and using a speech-to-text interfaced e-mail system involved a high level of cognitive workload.Conclusion: The research established that there are significant impairments to driving that stem from the diversion of attention from the task of operating a motor vehicle and that the impairments to driving are directly related to the cognitive workload of these in-vehicle activities. Moreover, the adoption of voicebased systems in the vehicle may have unintended consequences that adversely affect traffic safety.Application: These findings can be used to help inform scientifically based policies on driver distraction, particularly as they relate to cognitive distraction stemming from the diversion of attention to other concurrent activities in the vehicle.

The Impact of Text Driving on Driving Safety

“…Another promising finding is that the response mode of text driving mostly had a significant effect on performances could be blamed more on visual and manual distraction. This is also supported by previous studies (Strayer et al, 2013;Peng et al, 2014). Regarding the cognitive load effect of texting, the experiment results did show marginal significant differences between hard and easy levels of complexity.…”

“…Interacting with a speech-to-text system was the most cognitively cumbersome activity compared to others such as listening to a radio, conversing with passengers, etc. (Strayer et al, 2013). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published guidelines for further investigations of this risky behavior.…”

Characterizing the Effect of Videophone Conversations on Intersection Driving Performance

“…For instance, recent studies suggest that distracting passengers (talking about something other than the driving scene) are similarly detrimental as remote cell phone partners (Strayer et al, 2013). This suggests that in order for videophone conversations to be effective in reducing driver distraction, conversation partners must remain free of distraction and be engaged in the driving task.…”

Cognitive Distraction Impairs Drivers' Anticipatory Glances: An On-Road Study

“…Activities involving manual and visual distraction (see Strayer et al, 2013) such as eating, interacting with the radio, texting and using a handheld cell phone represent the most common sources of distraction for drivers (Stutts et al, 2003). Since these activities often require drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel and their eyes off the road, car-manufacturers and policy-makers have recently focused their attention on voice-based technologies as a way to tackle distraction and its consequences on road safety.…”