The objective of this report is to delineate how a standarized test methodology for assessing safety effects of in-vehicle information systems, also indicated by telematics applications should be designed. Since it is virtually impossible to cover all safety aspects that telematics applications could have in the broadest sence, a limitation to the effect of applications on the driving task in a narrow sense has been chosen in this report. An analysis has been carried out of how the use of in-vehicle telematics applications could affect driving performance of individual drivers. A major outcome is that a distinction should be made between effects caused by driver overload, by driver underload, and by counterproductive adaptation to perceived safety. After a short overview of the concepts of overload, underload and counterproductive adaptation and how they are usually measured, a preliminary check list is presented which allows determining which types of safety effects can be expected with a certain telematics application. If the check list suggests that there are any reasons for concern empirical study is required. To that end, building blocks are introduced for the design of such studies. Three problems with empirical assessment of safety effects are discerned: 1) how do objective measures relate to safety; 2) which driving situations should be involved in empirical research of safety; and 3) what types of participants are required ? The report ends with suggestions for resolving these problems thereby opening up the way toward a standardized testing methodology.
Abstract