Directing driver attention with augmented reality cues.
This simulator study evaluated the effects of augmented reality (AR) cues designed to direct the attention of experienced drivers to roadside hazards. Twenty-seven healthy middle-aged licensed drivers with a range of attention capacity participated in a 54 mile (1.5 hour) drive in an interactive fixed-base driving simulator. Each participant received AR cues to potential roadside hazards in six simulated straight (9 mile long) rural roadway segments. Drivers were evaluated on response time for detecting a potentially hazardous event, detection accuracy for target (hazard) and non-target objects, and headway with respect to the hazards. Results showed no negative outcomes associated with interference. AR cues did not impair perception of non-target objects, including for drivers with lower attentional capacity. Results showed near significant response time benefits for AR cued hazards. AR cueing increased response rate for detecting pedestrians and warning signs but not vehicles. AR system false alarms and misses did not impair driver responses to potential hazards.
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Department of Neurology Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52242.
Michelle L
ML
Rusch
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Department of Neurology Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52242 mark-schall@uiowa.edu.
Mark C
MC
Schall
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Department of Neurology Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52242 patrick-gavin@uiowa.edu.
Patrick
P
Gavin
University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering 1513 University Avenue, 3007 Mechanical Engineering Madison, WI 53706-1572 jdlee@engr.wisc.edu.
John D
JD
Lee
University of Iowa Department of Biostatistics 105 River Street, S-145 CPHB Iowa City, IA 52242 jeffrey-dawson@uiowa.edu.
Jeffrey D
JD
Dawson
University of Iowa Department of Psychology E125 Seashore Hall Iowa City, IA 52242 shaun-vecera@uiowa.edu.
Shaun
S
Vecera
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Department of Neurology 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52242 matthew-rizzo@uiowa.edu.
Matthew
M
Rizzo
Augmented Reality; Driver Distraction; Driver Inattention; Driving; Highlighting Cues