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Reliability of drivers in urban intersections.
Herbert Gstalter1, Wolfgang Fastenmeier
1mensch-verkehr-umwelt (mvu), Institute for Applied Psychology, Königinstr. 47, D-80539 München, Germany. hgstalter@mensch-verkehr-umwelt.de
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|November 6, 2009
Summary
Human reliability analysis (HRA) was adapted to measure car driver reliability. Older drivers and complex intersections, like roundabouts, showed higher error rates, suggesting areas for safety improvements.
Area of Science:
- Human Factors Engineering
- Traffic Safety Research
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Human reliability analysis (HRA) is established in industrial settings to optimize person-task fit.
- Measuring car driver reliability requires a taxonomy of driving tasks, defined correct behaviors, error identification, and observation methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt the concept of human reliability for assessing car driver reliability.
- To identify factors influencing driver errors, including task complexity and driver age.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the SAFE-task analysis procedure to derive driver errors from behavioral requirements.
- Conducted a field study with 62 drivers of varying ages on an urban route with 18 intersections.
- Employed trained observers to record driver errors using standardized sheets.
Main Results:
- Driver error indices varied significantly by age group and driving task.
- Non-signalized intersections and roundabouts exhibited the highest error rates, correlating with task complexity.
- Older drivers demonstrated significantly higher error indices across most tasks compared to younger groups.
Conclusions:
- Driver reliability estimates can be derived using HRA principles and task analysis.
- Task complexity, particularly at intersections, and driver age are critical factors in car driver reliability.
- Findings can inform improvements in vehicle design, intersection layout, regulations, and driver training programs.
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