title: Mathematical model to predict drivers' reaction speeds.
abstract: Mental distractions and physical impairments can increase the risk of accidents by affecting a driver's ability to control the vehicle. In this article, we developed a linear mathematical model that can be used to quantitatively predict drivers' performance over a variety of possible driving conditions. Predictions were not limited only to conditions tested, but also included linear combinations of these tests conditions. Two groups of 12 participants were evaluated using a custom drivers' reaction speed testing device to evaluate the effect of cell phone talking, texting, and a fixed knee brace on the components of drivers' reaction speed. Cognitive reaction time was found to increase by 24% for cell phone talking and 74% for texting. The fixed knee brace increased musculoskeletal reaction time by 24%. These experimental data were used to develop a mathematical model to predict reaction speed for an untested condition, talking on a cell phone with a fixed knee brace. The model was verified by comparing the predicted reaction speed to measured experimental values from an independent test. The model predicted full braking time within 3% of the measured value. Although only a few influential conditions were evaluated, we present a general approach that can be expanded to include other types of distractions, impairments, and environmental conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: A Isabella
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D040421:Cell Phone; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011930:Reaction Time; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D060145:Text Messaging; D055815:Young Adult