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Effect of speed adaptation on performance in a self-paced tracking task
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 1, 1975
Summary
Drivers previously exposed to high-speed tasks performed faster but made more errors on hazardous road simulations. This suggests an acquired motivation for speed, not just perceptual changes, influences driver behavior after high-speed driving.
Area of Science:
- Human Factors
- Cognitive Psychology
- Traffic Safety
Background:
- Previous research indicates speed adaptation affects speed judgment.
- Understanding driver behavior after high-speed exposure is crucial for road safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of prior high-speed task exposure on performance in a simulated hazardous driving task.
- To explore the role of acquired speed motivation in driver behavior.
Main Methods:
- Twelve participants performed a self-paced tracking task simulating hazardous road conditions.
- Six participants had prior experience with a simpler, high-speed version of the task; six served as controls.
Main Results:
- Participants with prior high-speed exposure drove faster and committed more errors on the hazardous task compared to controls.
- This indicates a behavioral change beyond simple perceptual adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Prior high-speed experience can lead to increased speed and errors in subsequent hazardous driving simulations.
- Acquired motivation for speed, alongside perceptual distortions, may significantly influence driver behavior when transitioning from high-speed environments.