Intelligent speed adaptation for visibility technology affects drivers’ speed selection along curves with sight limitations
Metadata
Show full item recordEditorial
Elsevier
Materia
Sight distance Intelligent speed adaptation Driver behaviour
Date
2024-01-24Referencia bibliográfica
Hazoor, Abrar, et al. Intelligent speed adaptation for visibility technology affects drivers’ speed selection along curves with sight limitations. Journal of traffic and transportation engineering (English edition) 2024; 11 (1): 16-27 [10.1016/j.jtte.2023.02.005]
Abstract
Sight obstructions along road curves can lead to a crash if the driver is not able to stop the
vehicle in time. This is a particular issue along curves with limited available sight, where
speed management is necessary to avoid unsafe situations (e.g., driving off the road or
invading the other traffic lane). To solve this issue, we proposed a novel intelligent speed
adaptation (ISA) system for visibility, called V-ISA (intelligent speed adaptation for visibility).
It estimates the real-time safe speed limits based on the prevailing sight conditions.
V-ISA comes with three variants with specific feedback modalities (1) visual and (2) auditory
information, and (3) direct intervention to assume control over the vehicle speed.
Here, we investigated the efficiency of each of the three V-ISA variants on driving speed
choice and lateral behavioural response along road curves with limited and unsafe available
sight distances, using a driving simulator. We also considered curve road geometry
(curve direction: rightward vs. leftward). Sixty active drivers were recruited for the study.
While half of them (experimental group) tested the three V-ISA variants (and a V-ISA off
condition), the other half always drove with the V-ISA off (validation group). We used a
linear mixed-effect model to evaluate the influence of V-ISA on driver behaviour.
All V-ISA variants were efficient at reducing speeds at entrance points, with no discernible
negative impact on driver lateral behaviour. On rightward curves, the V-ISA intervening
variant appeared to be the most effective at adapting to sight limitations. Results of the current study implies that V-ISA might assist drivers to adjust their operating speed as per
prevailing sight conditions and, consequently, establishes safer driving conditions.