Analysis of Driver Reaction During Braking and Avoidance Maneuver

Abstract

One of the parts of the accident analysis is also the objective assessment of the responsibility of accident participants related to their behavior and objective ability to avert the imminent critical situation. During a critical situation, the driver can respond by avoidance maneuver, critical braking or a combination of both. However, most of the research studies have been focused on the analysis of the driver´s brake-reaction time. The aim of this paper is to analyze the driver´s reaction time in detail during the avoidance maneuver and critical braking. For the purpose of this study, the electromyography has been used. The combination allows detailed and accurate determination of the onset of the muscle activation during the reaction. For the elimination of the result distortion, the measurements were carried out in a real vehicle on a predetermined route and also in simulated condition. Participants responded to the various types of the critical incidents, mostly sudden braking of the leading vehicle. The obtained results demonstrate differences in the time necessary for the activation of the lower and the upper limb during a critical situation.

Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking

“…In previous studies [ 9 , 12 ], the timing of the onset of the tibialis anterior activity was the earliest in the braking action of young drivers, and similar results were obtained in this study, and the amplitude of the tibialis anterior was the highest among the measured muscles. From the release phase to the switch phase, the change in the angle and the angular velocity of the ankle dorsiflexion were larger than those of other joints, and it is clear that the tibialis anterior is the main action muscle involved in the braking action.…”

“…These values were normalized by dividing them by the peak amplitude during the maximum isometric contraction. The muscle activity onset time was calculated using the mean plus three standard deviations during the accelerator application phase as the threshold level [ 9 , 21 ]. Furthermore, the difference in the activity onset time between the tibialis anterior and soleus was calculated.…”

“…In the case of young drivers, the electromyograms of the ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors during emergency braking have been measured in previous studies [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. The tibialis anterior and plantar flexors play important roles in controlling the force exerted by the foot on the accelerator while driving at a constant speed [ 10 ].…”

“…In particular, the stretch reflex of the ankle plantar flexors should be strongly suppressed during rapid dorsiflexion movements [ 13 ]. In fact, the onset of the triceps surae activity is delayed compared with the activity of the tibialis anterior when switching pedals for emergency braking [ 9 ]. However, reciprocity inhibition at the spinal-cord level decreases with age [ 14 ].…”