Do automation and digitalization distract drivers? A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Automotive Engineering
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Vehicle automation and digitalization offer convenience and safety but introduce new driver distraction challenges.
• Infotainment systems and spare attentional capacity during automation enable secondary tasks, potentially diverting focus from driving.
• Driver distraction is a significant factor in road accidents, necessitating a deeper understanding of its causes and effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review eye-tracking literature on driver distraction caused by vehicle automation and digitalization.
• To identify key factors contributing to visual distraction in modern vehicles.
• To analyze the impact of secondary tasks on driver visual attention.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across five major databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science).
• Initial identification of 4769 articles, with 65 selected for review after systematic screening.
• Analysis of eye-tracking data to assess visual attention patterns during automated and digitalized driving.

Main Results:

• A notable increase in research on driver distraction related to automation and digitalization in recent years.
• Primary research contributions originate from the United States and China, with a need for broader global representation.
• Studies confirm increased off-road glances and diversion of visual attention when drivers engage in secondary tasks.

Conclusions:

• Automation and digitalization significantly alter driver visual attention patterns, often leading to distraction.
• Factors such as HMI design, secondary task type, and input modality influence visual attention.
• Feedback mechanisms show promise in mitigating visual distraction and improving road focus.