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Lane change behavior with a side blind zone alert system
Raymond J Kiefer1, Jonathan M Hankey
1Crash Avoidance System Development, General Motors Structure and Safety Integration Center, Engineering-East, Mail Code 480111E18, 30200 Mound Road, Warren, Michigan 48090-9010, USA. raymond.j.kiefer@gm.com
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|March 11, 2008
Summary
Drivers often skip blind zone checks during lane changes. A side blind zone alert (SBZA) system reduced unsafe lane changes by providing crucial visual information, potentially preventing crashes.
Area of Science:
- Human-computer interaction
- Automotive safety engineering
- Driver behavior analysis
Background:
- Lane change crashes are a significant safety concern.
- Driver inattention to blind zones is a primary contributing factor.
- Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) aim to mitigate these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a side blind zone alert (SBZA) system on driver lane change behavior.
- To quantify the frequency of "over the shoulder" glances during lane changes.
- To assess the SBZA system's effectiveness in improving driver awareness of surrounding vehicles.
Main Methods:
- An in-traffic study was conducted with participants driving vehicles equipped with and without an SBZA system.
- Drivers were instructed to evaluate ride characteristics, with incidental explanation of the SBZA system.
- Lane change maneuvers and mirror usage were monitored to assess driver behavior.
Main Results:
- Drivers failed to perform "over the shoulder" glances for 68% of left and 85% of right lane changes.
- The SBZA system significantly reduced lane changes initiated without checking corresponding mirrors (31% for left, 23% for right).
- SBZA display provided information often missed by traditional visual checks.
Conclusions:
- The SBZA system provides critical information that drivers frequently fail to obtain through manual checks.
- The reduction in unsafe lane changes suggests SBZA can enhance driver situational awareness.
- SBZA technology shows promise in assisting drivers to avoid lane change crashes.
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