The Psychology of Driving on Rural Roads (eBook)

Dr. Gert Weller is a senior researcher and human factors consultant at the Chair of Traffic and Transportation Psychology at the Technische Universität Dresden.

Acknowledgements 6
Zusammenfassung auf Deutsch 7
Abstract in English 11
Contents 15
List of Tables 19
List of Figures 23
List of Abbreviations 26
1 Driving on Rural Roads: The Current Situation 29
2 Applying Existing Models to Driving on Rural Roads 30
2.1 A Framework 30
2.2 Individual Differences: Traits and Demographic Variables 33
2.3 Driving as a Self Paced Task: Motivational Models 35
2.3.1 Introduction 35
2.3.2 Behavioural Adaptation 36
2.3.3 Control Theory Applied to Motivational Regulation 38
2.3.4 Risk Models 41
2.3.5 Workload Models 50
2.3.6 A Brief Overview of the Measurement of Workload 60
2.3.7 Motivational Target Variables: Can They be Distinguished? 61
2.3.8 How is the Target Defined? 63
2.3.9 Homeostatic Regulation and Failure Thereof, Discussed in Two Examples 65
2.3.9.1 Preliminary Summary of Existing Theories With Respect to Practical Application to Rural Road Safety 65
2.3.9.2 Existing Findings Concerning the Effect of Road Width Discussed With Relation to the Existing Theories 67
2.3.9.3 Existing Findings Concerning the Effect of Curve Radius Discussed With Relation to the Existing Theories 72
2.3.9.4 Conclusions Derived From the Two Examples With Respect to the Theories 76
2.4 Perception and Information Processing 76
2.4.1 A Framework for Cognitive Models: Rumar’s Model 77
2.4.2 Expectations and Mental Models 79
2.4.3 Attention 82
2.4.4 The Direct Approach to Perception 84
2.4.5 The Perception of Ego Speed 87
3 A Psychological Model for Driving on Rural Roads 89
4 Empirical Validation 92
4.1 Overview and General Course of Events 92
4.2 The Laboratory Study: The Role of Perceived Road Characteristics 93
4.2.1 Introduction and Rationale of the Laboratory Study 93
4.2.2 The Original Road Environment Construct List (RECL) 94
4.2.3 The German Version of the RECL 98
4.2.4 Methodology 99
4.2.4.1 The Stimuli 99
4.2.4.2 The Sample 99
4.2.4.3 General Course of Events 99
4.2.4.4 Introductory Remarks to Statistical Testing 100
4.2.4.5 Statistical Methods Used for the Research Questions 101
4.2.4.6 Statistical Background: Factor Analysis 108
4.2.5 Results 114
4.2.5.1 Replication of the RECL Structure 114
4.2.5.2 Does This Factor Solution Allow the Prediction of Behaviour? 117
4.2.5.3 Replication of the RECL Structure With the Simulator Data 118
4.2.5.4 Conclusions Concerning the Factor Structure 121
4.2.5.5 Selection of Marker Items 122
4.2.5.6 Predicting Behaviour Through Perception Assessed With the Marker Items: Results for the Laboratory Study 125
4.2.5.7 The Role of Individual Factors 125
4.2.6 Summary, Conclusions and Discussion of the Results 136
4.3 The Simulator Study: The Role of Cues and Affordances 138
4.3.1 Introduction: Rationale Behind the Simulator Study 138
4.3.2 Hypotheses and Additional Research Questions 138
4.3.3 Methodology 140
4.3.3.1 The Experimental Paradigm Used 140
4.3.3.2 General Course of Events 141
4.3.3.3 The Simulated Course 142
4.3.3.4 The Sample 143
4.3.3.5 Assignment of Participants to Different Driver Groups 143
4.3.3.6 The Independent Variables 145
4.3.3.7 The Dependent Variables: Initial Considerations 145
4.3.3.8 Ensuring Data Quality Prior to Data Analysis 148
4.3.3.9 Issues Relating to Reduced Sample Size for Subjective Ratings 148
4.3.3.10 The Role of Simulator Sickness 149
4.3.3.11 Familiarisation With and Behavioural Adaptation to the Simulator 151
4.3.3.12 The Role of Element Order and Preceding Element on Behaviour 155
4.3.3.13 Ecological Validity of the Driving Simulator Study 167
4.3.3.14 The Dependent Variables: Final Version 171
4.3.3.15 Statistical Methods of Data Analysis 172
4.3.4 Results 175
4.3.4.1 Speed on Straight Road Sections: Hypotheses 1a and 1b 175
4.3.4.2 Differences in Speed Between Driver Groups on Straight Road Sections 177
4.3.4.3 Perception and Expectations on Straight Road Sections: Hypotheses 2a 179
4.3.4.4 Differences in Perception Between Driver Groups for Straight Road Sections 181
4.3.4.5 Summary and Discussion of Results for the Straight Road Sections 182
4.3.4.6 Differences in Speed Between the Curves: Hypothesis 1c 183
4.3.4.7 Differences in Speed Between Driver Groups in Curves 185
4.3.4.8 Perception of Curves and Expectations for Curves: Hypothesis 2b 187
4.3.4.9 Differences in Perception Between Driver Groups in Curves 189
4.3.4.10 Summary and Discussion of Results for the Curves 191
4.3.5 Overall Conclusions of the Simulator Study With Respect to the Model 192
4.4 On the Road Driving Tests: Behaviour and Accidents 194
4.4.1 Introduction: Rationale Behind the Driving Experiments 194
4.4.2 Hypotheses and Further Research Questions 195
4.4.3 Methodology 199
4.4.3.1 General Course of Events 199
4.4.3.2 The Test Route 199
4.4.3.3 Characteristics of the Curves Used as Independent Variables 203
4.4.3.4 Implications of Course and Accident Characteristics for the Study 207
4.4.3.5 Preparation of the Raw Data for Statistical Analysis 208
4.4.3.6 The Dependant Variables: Overview 209
4.4.3.7 The Measurement Vehicle 210
4.4.3.8 The Peripheral Detection Task 211
4.4.3.9 The Gaze Data 213
4.4.3.10 The Sample 217
4.4.3.11 Ensuring Data Quality 218
4.4.3.12 Statistical Methods of Data Analysis 225
4.4.3.13 Statistical Background: Binary Logistic Regression 226
4.4.4 Results 232
4.4.4.1 Additional Research Question 2: Influence of the PDT on Behaviour 232
4.4.4.2 Prototypical Application for the Functionality of IVIS & ADAS
4.4.4.3 Summary and Discussion of Results Concerning the Influence of the PDT 251
4.4.4.4 Differences in Behaviour Between High and Low Accident Rate Curves (Hypotheses 1 to 5) 253
4.4.4.5 Hypotheses 1 to 5: Summary and Discussion of Results 258
4.4.4.6 Results for Additional Research Question 3: Are There Differences in Gaze Between High and Low Accident Rate Curves? 264
4.4.4.7 Are Workload and Speed Related? 264
4.4.4.8 Summary and Discussion of Results for the Relationship Between Speed and Reaction Time 267
4.4.5 Summary and Discussion of the Results for the Field Study 269
5 Empirical Validation: Summary and Conclusions 274
References 281
Appendix 309
Contents Appendix 310