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Curve negotiation performance in a driving simulator as a function of curve geometry
1Calspan Advanced Technology Center, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Applied Ergonomics
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Driver performance on curves is affected by alcohol. Higher Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels and smaller curve radii significantly impacted driver speed and lateral position error in a driving simulator study.
Area of Science:
- Traffic safety research
- Human factors engineering
- Alcohol impairment studies
Background:
- Road curve negotiation is a critical driving task.
- Understanding factors influencing driver performance on curves is vital for road safety.
- Previous research indicates alcohol impairs driving abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels on driver performance on curves.
- To examine how different curve characteristics and driving scenarios influence driver behavior.
- To assess the impact of simulator design limitations on observed results.
Main Methods:
- A driving simulator study involving twelve male drivers over three nights.
- Manipulated factors included Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels (0.00, 0.7, 0.12%), driving scenario (eventful vs. uneventful), edgeline width, curve-warning sign type, and curve type.
- Subjects negotiated 150 curves per two-hour session with varying radii (57.3-94.2 m) and advisory speeds (32.2-72.4 km/h).
Main Results:
- Curve-entry speed increased with larger curve radii.
- Lateral position error was greatest on curves with the smallest radius and least on the shortest curves.
- Heading error showed a non-linear relationship with curve radius (increased then decreased).
- Road usage and lateral acceleration were not significantly related to curve parameters.
Conclusions:
- Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) significantly affects driver performance on curves, particularly speed and lateral control.
- Curve geometry (radius, length) influences lateral position and heading errors.
- The lack of lateral acceleration cues in the fixed-base simulator may have limited the ecological validity of certain findings, particularly regarding lateral acceleration measures.
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