In order to identify previous and current research topics and applications within the field of naturalistic driving observation, a literature review was conducted and the main results are presented in the present document. This report provides an extensive overview of studies and projects applying naturalistic driving within road traffic research, and all studies included are discussed and summarised in a concise and accessible way. First, naturalistic driving observation as a method for investigating road safety issues is discussed and compared to other more traditional methods like experiments and epidemiological studies. Second, the scientific literature on naturalistic driving is presented and discussed in relation to various topics and applications. Included literature covers peer reviewed articles/papers, published reports and unpublished material. The main areas in which naturalistic driving observation has been studied and applied are ‘driver distraction and inattention’, ‘driver drowsiness and fatigue’, ‘heavy vehicle — light vehicle interaction’, ‘driver characteristics and states’ and ‘applied use of naturalistic driving observation’. However, naturalistic driving observation should be applied in other areas as well, and by using this method we can gain new and more valid insights in road safety as well as eco-driving and traffic management. This report serves as a basic framework for further exploring and developing naturalistic driving observation within the field of road user behaviour research. (Author/publisher) See http://www.prologue-eu.eu/ for more information and other reports about this programme.
Abstract