A standard PC-based test was developed to enable evaluation of effects of in-vehicle information systems IVISs) on aspects of driver behaviour in so far as relevant for traffic safety. A first validation of the test is described for an auditory version of Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel (RDS-TMC). The test resembles driving a car in a limited number of relevant aspects: the subjects are required to drive on a simulated winding road while using a steering wheel, an accelerator, and a brake pedal. During a part of the driving task, subjects are required to listen closely and respond to a few auditory messages. The most important indicators of driving performance used are longitudinal control: vehicle speed, and lateral control, namely standard deviation (SD) of lateral position, minimum Time-to-Line Crossing (TLC) and actual lane boundary crossings. The results show no effects of the auditory task on driver behaviour as measured by adopted speed and minimum TLC. Interaction with the secondary task that induces an auditory load resulted in a difference of the minimumTLC between forced and self-paced speed conditions only. The interaction with the IVIS application resulted in smaller SDs of lateral position. Subjects indicated higher mental workload while engaged in the secondary task, and also, rated the self-paced condition as needing more effort. See also IRRD E201349 and E201355.
Samenvatting