Landscape heritage objects' effect on driving: a combined driving simulator and questionnaire study.

Area of Science:

• Environmental psychology
• Human-computer interaction
• Transportation engineering

Background:

• Landscape elements influence human perception and behavior.
• Previous research on landscape perception relies heavily on subjective self-reports.
• Objective physiological and behavioral responses to landscape while driving are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of diverse landscape objects on driver behavior and physiological responses.
• To compare subjective driver experiences with objective simulator measurements.
• To analyze how object type, age, and proximity affect driving parameters.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a high-fidelity moving-base driving simulator.
• Measured objective data: speed, lateral position, heart rate (stress), and eye-tracking.
• Collected subjective data through questionnaires and driver feedback.

Main Results:

• 33% of drivers reported feeling stressed; however, heart rate data showed no significant stress increase.
• Open landscapes correlated with increased speed, while most objects showed a slight speed-reducing effect.
• Objects near the road significantly influenced drivers' lateral positioning; gaze patterns differed between object presence and absence.

Conclusions:

• Landscape objects can influence driver behavior (speed, lateral position) and subjective stress levels, though not always reflected in physiological measures.
• The perceived effect of landscape objects on driving behavior is complex and influenced by factors like proximity and surrounding environment.
• Future research should explore the nuanced relationship between subjective and objective responses to landscape stimuli during driving.