TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1981//
TI  - Divided attention in a reaction time index of traffic sign perception
JO  - Ergonomics
A1  - Testin, Frank J.
A1  - Dewar, Robert E.
SP  - 111
EP  - 124
VL  - 24
IS  - 2
N2  - Laboratory studies of traffic sign perception have often neglected to duplicate the divided attention demands of the driving task, even though it has been suggested that the inclusion of a loading task would increase the validity of such research. The present experiment examined the need for this division of attention by requiring subjects to identify traffic sign messages while performing a second, loading task involving the cognitive components of detection, identification or memory. A control group received no loading task. The reaction times to 16 signs were correlated with the legibility distances of the same signs measured in a previous roadway experiment. Contrary to the conclusion of Dewar el al. (1976) that a loading task may increase the validity of the reaction time index, the present study found no advantage to using a loading task in association with the reaction time measure of traffic sign perception.    Keywords: Driver distraction;<p /><p />
LA  - en
SN  - 0014-0139
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140138108924836
ID  - ref1
ER  -