An experiment is reported in which computerized car driving simulations were used to manipulate environment characteristics and vehicles' trajectories. Visual displays simulated the curvilinear approach of an observer to an intersection. An approaching vehicle, coming from the right of the curved road, was programmed to reach this intersection either 1 second before or after the observer. Visual displays projected on a tv monitor or on a large screen were stopped 2 seconds before the observer reached the intersection. Subjects had to decide whether they would have reached the intersection before, after or at the same time as the approaching vehicle. Overall, responses were correct in 62% of cases. A spatial reference point (road sign) near the intersection improved performance. However, judgments became increasingly difficult for small curvature radii where relative visual motion becomes ambiguous. Moreover, subjects appeared to rely more on local visual cues when visual information was presented on a tv monitor, and on global visual cues when a large-screen display was used.
Abstract