Using a Task Analysis to Identify Potential Information Processing Bottlenecks in Intersection Driving Scenarios

Abstract

A task analysis was conducted to identify the information processing bottlenecks that drivers face in specific intersection driving scenarios. These bottlenecks represent situations in which drivers may become “overloaded” by driving demands, possibly resulting in drivers improperly performing important driving tasks or skipping certain tasks altogether. The focus of this task analysis was on identifying the underlying information processing elements, including the perceptual, cognitive, and psychomotor subtasks associated with each individual driving task. A total of 7 distinct driving scenarios were investigated in the task analysis, with each scenario being successively decomposed into segments, tasks, and subtasks/information processing elements. Information processing bottlenecks were identified by analyzing converging information about workload levels, task sequencing and pacing, spatial distribution of required information, and other factors that mitigate or amplify taxing conditions.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Campbell

J. L.

Spiker

(1992). Task analysis for the RAH-66 Comanche Helmet Integrated Display Sight System (HIDSS). Iteration 3: Sub-Task Analysis. Santa Barbara, CA: Anacapa Sciences, Inc.

Federal Highway Administration (2005). Road Safety Fact Sheet. Washington DC: FHWA.

Groeger

J. A.

(2000). Understanding Driving: Applying Cognitive Psychology to a complex everyday task. Hove, U. K.: Psychology Press.

Hendricks

D. L.

Freedman

Zador

P. L.

Fell

J. C.

(2001). The Relative Frequency of Unsafe Driving Acts. Washington, DC: NHTSA.

Lee

S. E.

Olsen

E. C. B.

Wierwille

W. W.

(2004). Naturalistic lane-change field data reduction, analysis, and archiving: A comprehensive examination of naturalistic lane-changes. Washington DC: NHTSA.

McKnight

Adams

(1970). Driver education and task analysis volume 1: Task descriptions. Washington DC: DOT, NHSB.

Richard

C. M.

Campbell

J. L.

Brown

J. L.

(2005). Integrated Program for the Interactive Highway Safety Design Module (IHSDM) and Safety Research. Subtask B.I: Task Analyses of Intersection Driving Scenarios: Information Processing Bottlenecks and Opportunities for Safety Countermeasures Washington DC: FHWA.