The evaluation of decorated camera housings - A driving simulator study

Traffic enforcement cameras can lead to unwanted side-effects. For instance, red-light cameras at intersections can increase the chance at rear-end collisions, probably caused by slowing down abruptly. Additionally, on the highways, speed cameras could lead to kangaroo-jumps in driving speed. Warning drivers about cameras is a possible solution. Cameras that are uncommonly decorated (e.g. colored in pink or in yellow) may provide better conspicuity compared to those in standard colors like gray. However, besides warning drivers about their presence, more conspicuity of cameras could also distract drivers from the primary driving task. Therefore, the impact of such decoration on safety is unclear. This study evaluates different decorated designs of the camera housing and how such decoration may influence camera's conspicuity and induce distraction while driving. Three camera colored-designs were evaluated (gray, pink, and a mixture of yellow and black) using a driving simulator. Fifty-four participants drove nine different conditions, i.e. three camera-designs in three roadway-settings (basic highway segments, intersections operating during the amber-phase, and intersections with a bicycle-lane). Subjective and objective measures allowed to assess if: 1) decorated camera housings increased conspicuity, 2) signs of distraction could be found, and 3) driving was influenced. In addition to the detection success rate, other eye-tracking parameters were: time-to-first-fixation, fixation count, and average and total fixation duration. Driving measures, i.e. speed, acceleration or deceleration rate, lane-keeping behavior, and minimum time-to-collision, were included to assess if the tested camera-designs impacted driving behavior. Moreover, a post-drive questionnaire assessed the participants' opinions. Using camera colored-designs improved the camera's conspicuity. However, driving measures remained comparable across the three camera-designs. Although the subjective data indicated some distraction from the decorated cameras, clear indications for an effect on traffic safety were lacking. Meanwhile, a little over half of the respondents supported camera decoration. The current study does not allow firm conclusions, and additional research is recommended.