Using Eye Tracking Technology To Compare Hazard Detection On Road Versus Driving Simulator At Night Across Two Age Groups

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Juliette Leonardo (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Rationale: Though previous literature exists that demonstrates the validity of using driving\r\nsimulation compared to on-road driving, few studies have examined hazard detection between\r\ntwo driving conditions. Even fewer studies have specifically examined hazard detection at night.\r\nResults of current research regarding age differences in driving is inconclusive, and night driving\r\nis an under-researched area. Purpose: This study sought to analyze the visual components of\r\nnight driving for older adults. Eye tracking technology and driving simulation were combined to\r\nanalyze on-road scanning behavior, visual attention, glance patterns, and hazard detection.\r\nResearch questions sought to determine if there were significant differences in hazard detection\r\nbetween: 1) on-road and simulated drives, 2) older adults and younger adults, or any interaction\r\neffect. Design: This quasi-experimental study used a 2x2 repeated-measures factorial design and\r\nexamined comparisons between two age groups (older adults v. younger adults) and across two\r\ndriving situations (on-road v. simulated). Driving conditions were counterbalanced.\r\nParticipants: Participants included 16 older drivers (65+ years) and 17 younger drivers (20-40\r\nyeras). All participants were healthy, community-living adults obtained through convenience\r\nsampling. Methods: Instruments included wearable Tobii Pro eye tracking glasses which tracked\r\nand recorded pupil glances, a STISIM driving simulator, and each participant’s personal vehicle.\r\nIn both the on-road and simulated conditions, a pedestrian “hazard” stood at three locations.\r\nPedestrians stared at their cell phone and appeared to cross the street, though they did not\r\nactually walk. Outcomes examined from the eye tracking recordings in the Tobii Pro Analysis\r\nsoftware included total fixation duration, fixation count, and time to first fixation. Analysis: The\r\nmajority of findings indicate that night hazard detection behavior was similar across the driving\r\nconditions with the exception of time to first fixation. Time to detect the hazards was generally\r\nquicker on the road in both age groups. Comparison of the eye tracking measures indicated few\r\nstatistically significant differences between older and younger adults’ hazard detection behavior.\r\nThough, older adults did take slightly longer to initially see hazards. Discussion: Findings\r\nindicated that, despite age-related visual decline, older adults detected hazards similarly to\r\nyounger adults, especially when assessing on-road performance. However, they may take slightly\r\nlonger to see hazards at night which should be considered in self-regulation. Results also support\r\nthe use of driving simulators as a safe mechanism to observe driving habits, behaviors, and\r\nmistakes without risk to the driver, evaluator, or environment. Though, fitness to drive\r\nassessment should also include on-road observation due to limitations in absolute validity of\r\nsimulation. Future research should place emphasis on analysis on time to first fixation, as it may\r\noffer the most driving-safety related information. Occupational therapists have a vital role in\r\ndetermining/addressing fitness to drive, reducing risk of crashes, and researching ways to address\r\noccupational needs.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

Eye Tracking Technology;Driving;Hazard Detection;Night Driving

Email this document to