Will radar-based vision enhancement make driving safer? An experimental study of a hypothetical system on a driving simulator

Abstract

Technological progress is suggesting dramatic changes to the tasks of the driver, with the general aim of making the driving environment safer. Before any of these technologies is implemented, empirical research is required to establish whether these devices do, in fact, bring about the expected improvements. Initially, at least, simulated driving environments offer a means of conducting this research. The study reported in this paper concentrates on the application of a hypothetical radar-based vision enhancement system within the risk homeostasis paradigm. It was expected, in line with risk homeostasis theory (RHT), that the drivers would compensate for the reduction in risk by increasing their speed. The results of this study support the hypothesis although, after a simulated failure of the vision enhancement system, drivers did reduce their speed owing to reduced confidence in reliability of the system. Suggestions for new design solutions are given.