Effects of visual feedback delay on simulated automobile steering

Visual feedback delay in simulated automobile steering was investigated by means of a televised road display and a laboratory real-time computer system for producing steering delays. Transmission lags of 0.2 and 0.4 sec. were used, which were assumed to approximate feedback delays which occur in driving modern passenger cars with powered steering. A non-confounding experimental design was used to compare learning and transfer of learning under three conditions of delayed steering feedback of 0.0, 0.2, and 0.4 sec. Results showed that the steering delays severely impaired driving accuracy and learning in the simulated driving situation and that delayed steering feedback, rather than the stimulus-controlled reaction time of the driver, is a primary factor in loss of control of a car in emergency and difficult driving situations.