Driver Eye Research Articles

Naturalistic measurement of driver eye height and object height using photogrammetry

Driver eye height and object height are key factors in the derivation of basic parameters for safe and economically efficient highway design. In this work, previous approaches to the measurement of these values were critically reviewed and the changes in them over time were investigated. Previous methods of measurement were found to have considerable limitations in terms of coverage or accuracy. A new approach was thus developed for the naturalistic recording of a sample of vehicles using the principles of photogrammetry – the first time this approach has been used for all vehicle types. A field survey on a typical single-carriageway UK trunk road was undertaken and the driver eye and object heights of vehicles using the route were recorded. This work confirms the consumer trend for larger vehicles with a consequential increase in driver eye height and object height. It was found that the values used in current design standards are conservative and robust, but potential exists for further review. The results of this study will be useful to roads authorities internationally in defining their own highway design standards.

Visuomotor control, eye movements, and steering: A unified approach for incorporating feedback, feedforward, and internal models.

The authors present an approach to the coordination of eye movements and locomotion in naturalistic steering tasks. It is based on recent empirical research, in particular, on driver eye movements, that poses challenges for existing accounts of how we visually steer a course. They first analyze how the ideas of feedback and feedforward processes and internal models are treated in control theoretical steering models within vision science and engineering, which share an underlying architecture but have historically developed in very separate ways. The authors then show how these traditions can be naturally (re)integrated with each other and with contemporary neuroscience, to better understand the skill and gaze strategies involved. They then propose a conceptual model that (a) gives a unified account to the coordination of gaze and steering control, (b) incorporates higher-level path planning, and (c) draws on the literature on paired forward and inverse models in predictive control. Although each of these (a-c) has been considered before (also in the context of driving), integrating them into a single framework and the authors' multiple waypoint identification hypothesis within that framework are novel. The proposed hypothesis is relevant to all forms of visually guided locomotion. (PsycINFO Database Record

Design and Analysis of IR based Upper Dipper Light Control for Vehicles

The number of vehicles on our roads increases day by day, technology has evolved, but the safety factor must always be taken into account. Now, the vehicles are one day equipped with many security features. One of the main safety features that must be installed is the automatic control of the top bucket of the projector. This function can be used mainly during the night. The eyes of the human being are very sensitive to light, and when the eyes suddenly come into contact with the light after sunset, the cornea in the eye contracts, i. The view is empty and takes some time to restore sight. Many times, when suddenly the vehicle comes forward with the headlight in top mode, the situation blinds the driver's eyes. During this period, the vehicle covers a certain distance, in which case accidents may occur. It is lucky if the person walks quietly in this situation. To overcome this manual immersion problem, an automatic mechanism has automatically immersed the headlight when a situation occurs. This can reduce the number of accidents during the night and allow a comfortable ride. The operating principle, the mode of operation and the design of the PCB are briefly discussed in this paper.

Application of HDR algorithms to solve direct sunlight problems when autonomous vehicles using machine vision systems are driving into sun

Just after sunrise and before sunset the sun can shine directly into driver's eyes making it more difficult to see the road ahead. The direct sunlight problem creates a serious risk for human drivers as well as machine vision systems for autonomous vehicles. In 2016, the on-board cameras of a Tesla level 2 autonomy vehicle were unable to detect the side of a white truck due to bright sunlight. In order to solve the direct sunlight problem, we apply high dynamic range (HDR) imaging algorithms to the machine vision system of Lawrence Technological University's autonomous electric research vehicle and measure how well the system performs in direct sunlight. A Raspberry Pi is used to capture several manual exposure frames and compose HDR frames using three HDR algorithms provided by OpenCV 3. The resulting frames are supplied as input to the autonomous vehicle. Standard dynamic range (SDR) images captured using auto exposure are compared to equivalent HDR frames using various quality metrics. Objective assessment metrics are also performed to compare the color and contrast of HDR and SDR frames. Results show the system performs best when using HDR frames generated by the Mertens algorithm.

Recognition method of construction conflict based on driver’s eye movement

Drivers eye movement data in simulated construction conflicts at different speeds were collected and analyzed to find the relationship between the drivers’ eye movement and the construction conflict. On the basis of the relationship between the drivers’ eye movement and the construction conflict, the peak point of wavelet processed pupil diameter, the first point on the left side of the peak point and the first blink point after the peak point are selected as key points for locating construction conflict periods. On the basis of the key points and the GSA, a construction conflict recognition method so called the CCFRM is proposed. And the construction conflict recognition speed and location accuracy of the CCFRM are verified. The good performance of the CCFRM verified the feasibility of proposed key points in construction conflict recognition.

Analysis of the relationship between the length of eye fixation and the parameters of advertisements visible from the road

In Poland, many advertising signs addressed to motorists are located along the roadside. Advertisements do not serve any traffic related purpose and can distract drivers making them less reliable and as a consequence, reduce road safety. The existing regulations only apply to the carriageway. The research is conducted as part of the RID project. The objective of the RID project is to create a "Manual for positioning roadside advertising signs". The research aims to establish whether drivers look at roadside advertising and for how long. An additional goal is to investigate the correlation between the number and duration of the driver's eye fixation and the parameters of advertising media. In their work the authors use a mobile eye tracker. The study included a group of 60 drivers who drove on a section of about 110 km which included roads of various technical classes, different cross-sections and featured a varied roadside development pattern. 2,900 advertising carriers were inventoried on the route. Almost 30% of all advertising media drew the gaze. The billboards on which fixations were registered in the studied group were inventoried in detail for their geometrical, location or content parameters. The authors of the article present the relations between the parameters and their ability to attract the attention of drivers depending on the number of fixations and their duration.

Examining teen driver crashes and the prevalence of distraction: Recent trends, 2007–2015

IntroductionTeen drivers crash at a much higher rate than adult drivers, with distractions found as a factor in nearly 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. As the driving environment continues to rapidly evolve, it is important to examine the effect these changes may be having on our youngest and most vulnerable drivers. MethodThe purpose of this study was to identify types of vehicle crashes teens are most frequently involved in, as well as the distracting activities being engaged in leading up to these crashes, with a focus on identifying changes or trends over time. We examined 2,229 naturalistic driving videos involving drivers ages 16–19. These videos captured crashes occurring between 2007 and 2015. The data of interest for this study included crash type, behaviors drivers engaged in leading up to the collision, total duration of time the driver's eyes were off the forward roadway, and duration of the longest glance away from forward. ResultsRear-end crashes increased significantly (annual % change=3.23 [2.40–4.05]), corresponding with national data trends. Among cell phone related crashes, a significant shift occurred, from talking/listening to operating/looking (annual % change=4.22 [1.15–7.29]). Among rear-end crashes, there was an increase in the time drivers' eyes were off the road (β=0.1527, P=0.0004) and durations of longest glances away (β=0.1020, P=0.0014). ConclusionsFindings suggest that shifts in the way cell phones are being used, from talking/listening to operating/looking, may be a cause of the increasing number of rear-end crashes for teen drivers. Practical applicationsUnderstanding the role that cell phone use plays in teen driver crashes is extremely important. Knowing how and when teens are engaging in this behavior is the only way effective technologies can be developed for mitigating these crashes.

An extended car-following model based on visual angle and backward looking effect

By introducing driver's visual angle and backward looking effect into the full velocity difference model (FVDM), this paper proposes an extended car-following model. Through linear stability analysis and simulation analysis, the paper gets following conclusions: First of all, the neutral stability line of the extended model is asymmetry. Secondly, the stability of traffic flow is influenced by the width of the leading vehicle, the length of the following-car's head and the vertical distance from driver's eyes to vehicle's head. Thirdly, driver pay close attention to the rear vehicle can strengthen traffic flow, and driver's sensitivity of visual angle will influence the stability of traffic flow. Finally, the extended model can explain some complex nature of traffic phenomena and makes the car-following model more realistic.

Statistical prediction of eye locations for drivers of military ground vehicles

In this paper, a statistical model is developed to predict the driver eye locations in military ground vehicles. The data were taken from a study on soldier driving postures and seating positions. The distribution of eye locations is represented by an “eyellipse”, a geometric construction that approximates the distribution of the eye locations using an ellipse. Eyellipses have been widely used for the design of passenger cars and commercial trucks. The location and dimensions of the soldier eyellipse were developed based on the data from 145 male and female soldiers who selected their preferred driving postures in a range of vehicle layouts presented in a vehicle mockup. Driver eye locations were modeled using regression analysis. The model predicts the distribution of eye locations as a function of vehicle interior layout for a soldier population defined by the gender ratio (fraction male) and the distribution of body dimensions within each gender. This is the first eyellipse model taking into account the effects of protective equipment and body-borne gear. The model has broad applicability to the design of tactical, truck-like vehicles with fixed accelerator heel points.

交差点右折時のドライバの注視行動に関する考察

交差点右折時のドライバの注視行動に関する考察

G4-1 A Study of Multi-touch Screen Installation in Vehicles for Single-touch and Gestural Operations

Touchscreens have been used for human-machine interactions in vehicle for years; researchers paid more attention to using touchscreen displays when driving was the primary task and the driving performance was the main concern. However, it is not legal to operate touchscreen devices while driving in most of modern countries. On the other hand, a driver may occasionally control in-vehicle systems through touch or even gestural operations on the touch display. The situation is becoming more and more popular and worthwhile further study. The current study investigated three different installations of a multi-touch screen in vehicle at high (around the driver's eye height in sitting), middle (around the height of the driver's shoulder) and low (around the height of the driver's waist) positions. Twenty-seven voluntary participants (aged 23.93±0.68 years old) were recruited to perform single-touch and gestural operations in a simulated car cabin. Their performance in accuracy for the two experimental tasks and subjective responses regarding difficulty, fatigue and preferences of the task and interfaces were recorded. The results of the study showed that, regardless of the single-touch target clicking task or the multitouch target fitting task, the averaged errors over all target positions were the least for the middle installation and were the highest for the low installation. When user performance for different target sizes was compared in the gestural operations, participants tended to deviate more when the target size was small (100-pixel diameter) but manipulated the size more accurately when it was big (200-pixel diameter). The subjective evaluation through questionnaires showed that participants preferred the middle installation. The high installation was considered more difficult and caused greater fatigue on right neck, shoulder, upper extremities, wrist, and thumb belly areas. Based on the results of the current study, the middle installation is recommended for its higher accuracy and less fatigue. The upper installation, despite being recommended by other literature, caused greater errors, higher difficulty and fatigue, resulting the least preference. The difficulty and fatigue was not revealed for the lower installation, but it caused lower accuracy in gestural operations. This study could contribute to future design of in-vehicle touch interfaces in that the accuracy of single-touch and multi-touch tasks may be improved by installing the touchscreen at a middle height (around shoulder level). Future studies may consider verifying experiments in an interface simulating real in-vehicle information systems and increasing the number of data collected so that the result can be more applicable in reality.

Evaluation of Driver Distraction with Changes in Gaze Direction Based on a Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Model

With the aim of improving parameter identification and, eventually, evaluating driver distraction with changes in gaze direction, we applied a genetic algorithm (GA) method to identify parameters for an existing vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) model. By changing the initial inputs to the GA and fixing two parameters pertaining to the horizontal direction, we achieved improved parameter identification with a lower mean-square error. The influence of driver distraction on eye movement with changes in gaze direction was evaluated from the difference between the predicted and observed VOR in the vertical axis. When a driver was given an additional mental workload, the mean-square error between the measured and simulated values was bigger than that in the absence of the mental workload. This confirmed the relationship between driver distraction and eye movement in the vertical direction. We hope that this method can be applied in evaluating driver distraction.

The Research of Driver Distraction by Visual Smog on Selected Road Stretch in Slovakia

Driver distraction is one of the most common cause of traffic accidents in all countries. The previous research has shown that digital billboards can take the driver attention for more than one second. Therefore, the aim of the article is to research how can visual smog influence the driver behaviour. The road stretch in Žilina has been chosen for measuring the driver distraction by visual smog next to the road. The analysis of visual smog and traffic accidents on the selected road is included in article. Eye tracking glasses has been used to scan the gaze of driver eye. Part of the experiment was EEG device, used to record brainwave data during the testing of impact of visual smog to driver. The results regarding of driver gaze at visual smog are awful considering that the average dwell time of one billboard was more than a half second. On the other side, the average dwell time of traffic sign was only 0,2 second. In generally we can state that visual smog can influence the driver behaviour which can lead to traffic accident. For all that it is necessary to reduce the increased number of visual smog next to the road which can lead to fewer traffic accidents.

Arduino based real time driver drowsiness detection and mobile alert system using bluetooth

The goal of this propose design is to detect drowsiness in drivers to prevent accidents and to improve safety on the highways. A method for detecting driver drowsiness/sleepiness is developed on Arduino microcontroller board based on Atmega328P for real-time monitoring. The readings taken from different sensors used in this project can be seen in an Android based mobile device. It has an MQ-2 alcohol gas sensor to detect alcohol, if consumed by the driver and a relay circuit to stop him from performing the drive if alcohol consumed. The output from the relay activates the GSM module which sends a message to the driver family. MPU-6050 Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) accelerometer to read the head nodding conditions combined with a gyroscope and a temperature sensor to know the temperature inside the vehicle. The system is also able to monitor the driver physiological conditions such as heart pulse rate, eye blink detection using pulse sensor and eye blink sensor respectively. The alarm will be activated when the driver has consumed alcohol or driver head nods frequently or heart pulse rate goes above the limit or when driver eyes get closed. The microcontroller communicates with the android mobile through HC-05 Bluetooth module connected on the board. The android mobile is provided with the facility to view continuous readings from the sensors connected to the system along with the warning status messages through an android software based application installed in the end device.

Out of the corner of the driver's eye: Peripheral processing of hazards in static traffic scenes.

Effective gaze control in traffic, based on peripheral visual information, is important to avoid hazards. Whereas previous hazard perception research mainly focused on skill-component development (e.g., orientation and hazard processing), little is known about the role and dynamics of peripheral vision in hazard perception. We analyzed eye movement data from a study in which participants scanned static traffic scenes including medium-level versus dangerous hazards and focused on characteristics of fixations prior to entering the hazard region. We found that initial saccade amplitudes into the hazard region were substantially longer for dangerous (vs. medium-level) hazards, irrespective of participants' driving expertise. An analysis of the temporal dynamics of this hazard-level dependent saccade targeting distance effect revealed that peripheral hazard-level processing occurred around 200-400 ms during the course of the fixation prior to entering the hazard region. An additional psychophysical hazard detection experiment, in which hazard eccentricity was manipulated, revealed better detection for dangerous (vs. medium-level) hazards in both central and peripheral vision. Furthermore, we observed a significant perceptual decline from center to periphery for medium (but not for highly) dangerous hazards. Overall, the results suggest that hazard processing is remarkably effective in peripheral vision and utilized to guide the eyes toward potential hazards.

Quantitative modelling in cognitive ergonomics: predicting signals passed at danger

This paper shows how to combine field observations, experimental data and mathematical modelling to produce quantitative explanations and predictions of complex events in human–machine interaction. As an example, we consider a major railway accident. In 1999, a commuter train passed a red signal near Ladbroke Grove, UK, into the path of an express. We use the Public Inquiry Report, ‘black box’ data, and accident and engineering reports to construct a case history of the accident. We show how to combine field data with mathematical modelling to estimate the probability that the driver observed and identified the state of the signals, and checked their status. Our methodology can explain the SPAD (‘Signal Passed At Danger’), generate recommendations about signal design and placement and provide quantitative guidance for the design of safer railway systems’ speed limits and the location of signals.Practitioner Summary: Detailed ergonomic analysis of railway signals and rail infrastructure reveals problems of signal identification at this location. A record of driver eye movements measures attention, from which a quantitative model for out signal placement and permitted speeds can be derived. The paper is an example of how to combine field data, basic research and mathematical modelling to solve ergonomic design problems.

Proactive Driver Alert System (PDAS) for Drowsy Drivers

Vehicle drivers lose their focus when fall sleepy which causes very dangerous accidents because the drivers do not even try to avoid the accident. In many cases, these accidents are killing. Therefore, many automobile companies tried to help in detecting drowsy drivers and alert them before they commit accidents. In this paper, we are going to develop a Drowsy Driver Safety System prototype to watch the driver, and generate an audio alarm when the driver is detected as drowsy. This audio alarm helps keeping the driver in contact to avoid any consequences. There exist several drowsy detection systems. Most of them focus on detecting drowsiness using techniques such as steering behavior, lane tracking, eye detection, yawning state or a combination of them. In this paper, we also track the driver eye which is similar to some others. But, we are suggesting new techniques like driver’s hand tension, which is also a considerable feature for drowsiness detection. We also use a supplementary technique based on the relationship between the speed and the drift angle of the car to detect drowsy divers.

Reliability Analysis of Left-Turn Sight Distance at Signalized Intersections

The current method for the analysis of sight distance for left-turn vehicles at signalized intersections assumes that all component variables are deterministic. This paper presents a probabilistic approach based on such random variables as major-road speed, time gap required for left-turn vehicle, vehicle width, lateral position of left-turn vehicle, distance between driver eye of left-turn vehicle and its front, and lateral and longitudinal positions of positioned opposing left-turn vehicle. A safety margin is defined as the difference between available and required sight distances. Relationships for the mean and standard deviation of the safety margin were developed using the first-order second-moment (FOSM) method. This method identifies the offset (distance between left edge of the left-turn lane and right edge of the opposing left-turn lane) at signalized intersections for a desired probability of noncompliance based on intersection and traffic characteristics. The proposed reliability method was validated using Monte Carlo simulation, and design graphs were established. The results show that the deterministic method provides very conservative offsets and that the offset is most sensitive to vehicle width and lateral distance-related variables and less sensitive to longitudinal distance-related variables.

Verification of the Appropriateness of the Standard for Tunnel Luminance in the Threshold Zone Through a Full-scale Tunnel Driving Test

PURPOSES : This study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of safety with the standard for threshold zone luminance as specified in the Recommendation for Lighting of Traffic Tunnel, which has been widely adopted worldwide. METHODS : A driving test of the subject in a full-scale road tunnel was conducted. The adaptation luminance and threshold zone luminance, which should be known for the driver to perceive an object within stopping sight distance, were obtained. These values were compared with the adaptation luminance and threshold zone luminance obtained by the existing reduced model test and tunnel lighting standard that has served as a guideline for the current threshold zone luminance standard. RESULTS : According to this study, threshold zone luminance should be increased to at least 1.8 times the value proposed in the existing studies and to twice the domestic tunnel lighting standard (KS C 3703: 2014). CONCLUSIONS : The threshold zone luminance proposed in this study differs largely from that obtained from indoor tests and from the current tunnel lighting standard used worldwide; this difference may be attributed to the fact that the indoor tests did not incorporate driving workload, non-uniformity of luminance distribution in terms of sight, and factors that reduce the visibility of the driver, such as the light reflected into the driver's eyes. Hence, it is necessary to further review the factors that reduce the visibility of drivers approaching tunnels in order to determine the rational tunnel threshold zone luminance.

Real-Time Safety Automobile Driver System

The Driver Fatigue Detection (DFD) plays an important role in automobile safety and security. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. Long-vehicles driving are needed to keep drivers under monitoring due to fatigue and more accidents. This monitoring include : eyes blinking , face expressions. Without these monitoring, the accidents is increasing and caused the driver death. Driver’s tiredness and drowsiness are the major causes of traffic accidents on road. This proposed prototype is monitor the driver's fatigue level and analyze fatigue reason's (tiredness, drowse or a drunken ) and real-time DFD online. The proposed model depend on eye gestures (eyes blinking) and sensors such as an infrared camera (camera remotely) to detect driver expression. These sensors directly pointed towards the driver’s face. This technology is not interactive with an outside driving situation .The system consist of Mesh network equipped Zigbee protocol , sensors and Xbee tag. The system analyze the variation of driver's eyes movement rate. According that parameters , the system can specify the level of driver’s fatigue based on the response signals and alert driver. Practically. This system is robust, reliable, and accurate to detect fatigue levels.