The Effects of Cell Phone Use and Automation on Driver Performance and Subjective State in Simulated Driving

Abstract

Cell phone use has been identified as a threat to driver safety. Impairments may depend on the type of cell phone usage such as calling back and text messaging. The present study investigated whether the impact of phone use depends on the state of fatigue of the driver. A manipulation of full vehicle automation was used to induce a state of passive fatigue during a simulated drive. Participants were also assigned to one of four cell phone response conditions (Cell Phone, Text Message, Free-Choice or Control). Subjective responses, vehicle control and speed of response to an emergency event were assessed. Cell phone use did not mitigate stress and fatigue produced by vehicle automation. We also replicated existing findings that phone use, especially texting, impairs normal driving performance. However, phone use during automation was associated with a faster braking response following transition to normal control, suggesting that there may be circumstances under which phone use enhances alertness. Safety implications of the findings are discussed.

Impact of Distraction on the Driving Performance of Adolescents With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…As predicted, texting was the most impairing distraction, adding to the limited literature showing texting to impair driving 14,28,29 . The need to divert one's visual gaze from the road while texting creates a visual distraction that impairs one's ability to maintain a constant speed and central lane position.…”

Multidimensional Profiling of Task Stress States for Human Factors

“…State changes were diagnostic of performance: Passive but not active fatigue produced slowing of braking and steering responses when a slow vehicle pulled out in front of the driver shortly after reversion to manual control. Stress state assessment can also be used to evaluate countermeasures to fatigue (Neubauer, Matthews, & Saxby, 2012).…”

Event-related potentials as indices of mental workload while using an in-vehicle information system

“…For example, additional demands due to cell-phone usage may be compensated for by decreasing driving speed (Patten et al 2004). Likewise, boredom or fatigue induced by automated driving on a straight highway may be counteracted by engaging in non-driving-related tasks (e.g., reading, checking the phone), as suggested elsewhere (Atchley and Chan 2010;Neubauer and Matthews 2012). Such compensatory strategies need to be accounted for when exploring the actual effects of a specific system.…”