This report describes a standard PC-based test that was designed to evaluate effects of in-vehicle information systems (IVISs) on traffic safety and driver behaviour, together with a first validation of the test. The test resembles driving a car in some important aspects: the subjects are required to drive on a simulated winding road with the use of a steering wheel, an accelerator, and a brake pedal. While driving the subjects interact with an IVIS. The most important indicators of driving performance used in the test are vehicle speed and minimum Time-to-Line Crossing (TLC). Interaction with a secondary IVIS application that induces a high visual load results in adaptation of primary task behaviour: the driver reduced speed. In addition, the interaction with the IVIS application resulted in smaller TLC minima. This especially occurred during forced-paced conditions where the subject had no opportunity to slow down. However, even when the subject was allowed to reduce speed interaction with the IVIS resulted in smaller safety margins. In terms of the aims of the project this would indicate that the map display version of the Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel (RDS-TMC) needs to be tested more thoroughly in an advanced simulator or on the road before being introduced to the market. (A)
Samenvatting