As part of the DRIVE project BERTIE (V1017), the effects of a mobile telephone conversation on driving were studied in the advanced driving simulator at VTI. Twenty subjects, 10 men and 10 women, between 60 and 71 years and 20 subjects, also 10 men and 10 women, between 23 and 58 years participated in the study. Effects discussed are based on hypothesis like: When drivers are solving the telephone task their ability to quickly detect and react to unexpected objects will deteriorate; their ability to control the vehicle, for example keep a consistent lateral position, will deteriorate; their workload will increase, due to the addition of the telephone task, and lead to a reduction in speed. The hypothetical effects are predicted to be stronger for elderly people. This was found to be the case for brake reaction time and steering ability, but no effect of age on workload was shown by this study. Implications for traffic safety and for future in-car information systems are also discussed. (A)
Samenvatting