title: Motion perception and driving: predicting performance through testing and shortening braking reaction times through training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A driving simulator was used to examine the relationship between motion perception and driving performance. Although motion perception test scores have been shown to be related to driving safety, it is not clear which combination of tests are the best predictors and whether motion perception training can improve driving performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  In experiment 1, 60 younger drivers (22.4 ± 2.5 years) completed three motion perception tests (2-dimensional [2D] motion-defined letter [MDL] identification, 3D motion in depth sensitivity [MID], and dynamic visual acuity [DVA]) followed by two driving tests (emergency braking [EB] and hazard perception [HP]). In experiment 2, 20 drivers (21.6 ± 2.1 years) completed 6 weeks of motion perception training (using the MDL, MID, and DVA tests), while 20 control drivers (22.0 ± 2.7 years) completed an online driving safety course. The EB performance was measured before and after training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In experiment 1, MDL (r = 0.34) and MID (r = 0.46) significantly correlated with EB score. The change in DVA score as a function of target speed (i.e., "velocity susceptibility") was correlated most strongly with HP score (r = -0.61). In experiment 2, the motion perception training group had a significant decrease in brake reaction time on the EB test from pre- to posttreatment, while there was no significant change for the control group: t(38) = 2.24, P = 0.03.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tests of 3D motion perception are the best predictor of EB, while DVA velocity susceptibility is the best predictor of hazard perception. Motion perception training appears to result in faster braking responses.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gaska
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winterbottom
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012449:Safety; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: driver behavior; driver testing; motion perception