Driver Steering Reaction Time to Abrupt-Onset Crosswinds,as Measured In a Moving-Base Driving Simulator

Abstract

A moving-base driving simulator was used in three experiments involving driver reaction time (RT) to simulated crosswind disturbances. Analyses were conducted on driver steering reaction time (RT) to the disturbances. Experiment 1 revealed that RT was significantly shorter when physical-motion cues were present. A second variable, vehicle yaw rate rise time, showed no effect. In Experiment 2, design parameters influencing aerodynamic behavior of a vehicle were adjusted. RT increased as the vehicle center of pressure (point of crosslvind application) moved rearward (rom the (ront axle. However, rearward movement of the center of pressure also produced less disturbance of the vehicle itself Changes in understeer and steering sensitivity yielded no significant effect. In Experiment 3, both uninitiated drivers and drivers with time on task were examined. Neither the first exposure to a step gust nor driving time up to 150 mirl caused significant changes in RT when perfurmance was compared with that of practiced, fresh drivers. Interexperiment comparisons using crosswind amplitude and shape as independent variables demonstrated that the amplitude and rise time of the crosswinds were critical determinants of steering RT.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bundorf, R. T. , Pollack, D. E. , and Hardin, M. C. Vehicle handling response to aerodynamic inputs. Warrendale, PA: SAE, 1963.

Casali, J. G. , and Wierwille, W. W. The effects of various design alternatives on moving-base driving simulator discomfort. Human Factors, 1980, 22, 741–756.

Cattell, J. M. The time taken up by cerebral operations. Mind, 1886, 11, 220–242.

Donders, F. C. Over de snelheid van psychische processen. (On the speed of psychological processes). Onderzoekingen gedaan in het Physiologisch Laboratorium der Ufrechtsche Hoogeschool, 1868. Tweed reeks, II, 92–130.

Fergenson, P. E. The relationship between information processing and driving accident and violation record. Human Factors, 1971, 13, 173–176.

Fitts, P. M. Cognitive aspects of information processing: III. Set for speed vs. accuracy. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1966, 71, 849–857.

Fitts, P. M. , and Posner, M. I. Human Performance. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 1967.

Hick, W. E. On the rate of gain of information. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1952, 4, 11–26.

Iacovoni, D. H. Vehicle-driver simulation for a cross-wind disturbance condition. Warrendale, PA: SAE, Technical Report No. 670609, 1967.

10.

Johanssen, G. , and Rumar, K. Drivers' brake reaction times. Human Factors, 1971, 13, 23–27.

11.

Klein, R. H. , and Hogue, J. R. Effects of crosswinds on vehicle response—Full-scale tests and analytical predictions. Warrendale, PA: SAE, Technical Report No. 800848, 1980.

12.

La Berge, D. A recruitment theory of simple behavior. Psychometrika, 1962, 27, 375–396.

13.

Leonard, J. J. , and Wierwille, W. W. Human performance validation of simulators: Theory and experimental verification. Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 19th Annual Meeting. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors Society, 1975, 446–456.

14.

Lister, R. D. The reaction time of drivers in moving and stationary vehicles. Crowthorne, Berks, Great Britain: Road Research Laboratory, Technical Report RN/1324/RDL, 1950.

15.

Mclane, R. C. , and Wierwille, W. W. The influence of motion and audio cues on driver performance in an automobile simulator. Human Factors, 1975, 17, 488–501.

16.

McRuer, D. T. , and Klein, R. H , Automobile controllability—Driver/vehicle response for steering control, Volume I. Summary Report. Hawthorne, CA: Systems Technology, Inc., Contract No, DOT-HS-359-3-762, February, 1975.

17.

Mowbray, G. H. , and Rhodes, M. V , On the reduction of choice-reaction times with practice. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1959, 11, 16–23.

18.

Muto, W. H. , and Wierwille, W. W. The effect of repeated emergency response trials on performance during extended-duration simulated driving. Human Factors, 1982, 24, 693–698.

19.

Repa, B. S. , Leucht, P. M. , and Wierwille, W. W. The influence of motion cues on driver-vehicle performance in a simulator. Pasadena, CA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Technical Report No. JPL-81-95, 1981.

20.

Rice, R. S. , Dell'Amico, F. , and Rasmussen, R. E , Automobile driver characteristics and capabilities—The man-off-the-street. Warrendale, PA: SAE, Technical Report No. 760777, 1976.

21.

Rockwell, T. H. , and Safford, R. R. Comparative evaluation of an amber-red taillight system and the conventional system under night driving conditions. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Engineering Experiment Station, Report No. EES 272-1, July, 1966.

22.

Sivak, M. , Post, D. V. , Olson, P. L. , and Donohue, R. J. Driver responses to high-mounted brake lights in actual traffic. Human Factors, 1981, 23, 129–137.

23.

Snyder, H. L. Braking movement time and acceleratorbrake separation, Human Factors, 1976, 18, 201–204.

24.

Stone, M. Models for choice-reaction time. Psychometrika, 1960, 25, 251–260.

25.

Swink, J. R. Intersensory comparisons of reaction times using an electro-pulse tactile stimulus. Human Factors, 1966, 8, 143–145.

26.

Volkswagenwerk, A. G. Research safety vehicle—Phase I. Volume 3, Final Report. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Contract No. DOT-HS-4-00843, 1975.

27.

Wargo, J.J. Human operator response speed, frequency, and flexibility: A review and analysis. Human Factors, 1967, 9, 221–238.

28.

Wargo, M. J. , Kelly, C. R. , Proson, D. J. , and Mitchell, M. B. Muscle action potential and hand switch disjunctive reaction time to visual, auditory. and combined visual-auditory displays. IEEE Transactions on Human Factors in Electronics, 1967, HFE-8, 223–226.

29.

Welford, A. T. The psychological refractory period and timing of high-speed performance: A review and a theory. British Journal of Psychology, 1952, 43, 2–19.

30.

Wierwille, W. W. Driving simulator design for realistic handling. In H. K. Sachs (Ed.) Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Vehicle System Dynamics. Amsterdam: Swets and Zeitlinger, 1975.

31.

Woodworth, R. S. , and Schlosberg, H. Experimental psychology. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1965.