"Slow down. Rail crossing ahead. Look left and right at the crossing": In-vehicle auditory alerts improve driver behavior at rail crossings

Task-Relevant Smartphone Messages Within Work Zones: A Driving Simulation Study

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the impact of in-vehicle messages relative to roadside messages to alert drivers to events within a simulated work zone, in order to determine if these messages can improve driving performance within the work zone.

BACKGROUND

Safety risks in work zones are usually mitigated by design standards and clear signage to communicate work zone information to drivers. Due to distraction and other driving task demands, these signs are not always noticed by motorists, nor are they always followed when they are noticed.

METHOD

The driving simulation tested drivers in two different types of work zones, shoulder work, and lane closure. Participants drove through these work zones three times, each with different messaging interfaces to communicate hazardous events to the driver. The interfaces included a roadside, portable changeable message sign, a smartphone presenting only auditory messages, and a smartphone presenting audio-visual messages.

RESULTS

There was significantly better driving performance on key metrics including lane deviation for the in-vehicle message conditions relative to the roadside signs. Furthermore, drivers directed visual attention toward the roadway for the in-vehicle message conditions relative to the roadside sign condition.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that in-vehicle messaging could provide benefits to primary task performance in driving if the message content is appropriately designed.

APPLICATION

The findings provide support for a design framework to support in-vehicle communication to drivers approaching work zones and other environments to safely alert them to hazards.