Citation

Larue GS, Rakotonirainy A, Haworth NL. J. Transp. Saf. Secur. 2016; 8(Suppl 1): 56-69.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Southeastern Transportation Center, and Beijing Jiaotong University, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19439962.2015.1055413

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) have the potential to substantially reduce the number of crashes caused by human errors at railway-level crossings. However, such systems could overwhelm drivers, generate different types of driver errors, and have negative effects on safety at level crossing. The literature shows an increasing interest for new ITS for increasing driver situational awareness at level crossings, as well as evaluations of such new systems on compliance. To the authors' knowledge, the potential negative effects of such technologies have not yet been comprehensively evaluated. This study aimed at assessing the effect of different ITS interventions, designed to enhance driver behavior at railway crossings, on driver's cognitive loads. Fifty-eight participants took part in a driving simulator study in which three ITS devices were tested: an in-vehicle visual ITS, an in-vehicle audio ITS, and an on-road valet system. Driver cognitive load was objectively and subjectively assessed for each ITS intervention.

OBJECTIVE data were collected from a heart rate (HR) monitor and an eye tracker, whereas subjective data was collected with the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire. Overall, results indicated that the three trialed technologies did not result in significant changes in cognitive load while approaching crossings.

Language: en