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The effect of luminance on simulated driving speed
Sarah J Pritchard1, Stephen T Hammett
1Dept. of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
Vision Research
|November 15, 2011
Summary
Lower light levels (luminance) reduce driving speed, but drivers maintain a stable speed over time. This suggests driving speed balances perceived speed effects with mechanisms for speed constancy.
Area of Science:
- Visual perception
- Human factors in transportation
Background:
- Perceived speed is influenced by stimulus properties like luminance.
- Changes in perceived speed may affect driving behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of luminance on driving speed.
- To assess how driving speed changes with varying luminance and over time.
Main Methods:
- Subjects' driving speed was measured using a driving simulator.
- Experiments involved a range of luminance levels and speeds over time.
Main Results:
- Reduced luminance led to decreased driving speed across all tested speeds.
- Driving speed remained stable over a 30-second period, irrespective of luminance.
Conclusions:
- Driving speed aligns with luminance's effect on perceived speed.
- Higher-order processes may contribute to maintaining constant driving speed over time, despite adaptation effects.
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