A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Tablet-based Training Program for Younger Drivers

Abstract

Driver distraction is a leading cause of crashes, especially among novice drivers. Distraction for novice drivers is especially problematic in the presence of latent hazards (hazards which are not visible but could very well materialize). The current study evaluates the effectiveness of a tablet-based training program called the Engaged Driver Training System (EDTS) that enables novice drivers to navigate through realistic scenarios on a tablet and incorporates an error feedback mechanism to train them on latent hazard detection in high-risk scenarios. This study attempts to assess whether the training has an effect on drivers’ hazard anticipation skills and their willingness to engage in a secondary task in the presence of latent hazards. The secondary tasks include both tasks that require drivers to take their eyes off the road (e.g., operating the defroster) and those which do not (e.g., talking on a cell phone). Participants were assigned either to the EDTS condition or the placebo condition. After training (EDTS or placebo), the groups navigated ten different scenarios on a driving simulator and were instructed to engage during the drive in as many secondary tasks as they choose to, as long as they felt safe to do so. The secondary tasks were fully user paced. The results indicate that training drivers to detect latent hazards on a tablet can increase their recognition of latent hazards in a driving simulator and reduce their willingness to engage in distracting activities in the presence of such hazards. A usability survey by the EDTS participants suggests that the training platform was effective in imparting latent hazard detection knowledge and that the tablet interface was easy to use and understand.