Road-tracking Performance Research Articles

Driving performance of euthymic outpatients with bipolar disorder undergoing real-world pharmacotherapy.

Medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) could affect patients' cognitive function. Patients with BD present with neurocognitive impairment even in a remission state. Little research is available on the daily functioning, especially driving performance, of stable outpatients with BD under pharmacological treatment. In total, 58 euthymic outpatients with BD undergoing real-world pharmacotherapy and 80 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Three driving tasks using a driving simulator-road-tracking, car-following, and harsh-braking-and three cognitive tasks-Continuous Performance Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Trail-Making Test-were evaluated. Symptom assessment scales-Young Mania Rating Scale, Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale, and Stanford Sleepiness Scale-were also completed. Car-following and road-tracking performance were significantly impaired in patients with BD compared with HCs after adjusting for demographic variables, but these performances generally overlapped. Broad neurocognitive functions were significantly lower in the patients with BD compared to HCs, but car-following performance was significantly negatively correlated with sustained attention only. Although most patients received multiple medications rather than monotherapy, no relationship between prescriptions and driving performance was found. Euthymic patients with BD under steady-state pharmacotherapy had impaired driving performance compared with HCs, but the overlapping distributions of driving performance suggested that driving performance is not always deteriorated in patients with BD. Therefore, attentional function may be a useful clinical feature for judging driving aptitude in patients with BD.

Intelligent Road Tracking and Real-time Acceleration-deceleration for Autonomous Driving Using Modified Convolutional Neural Networks

Neural network is one of the most widely used method in autonomous driving. Current researchers use only steering angle to train artificial neural networks, ignoring the importance of acceleration and deceleration for autonomous vehicles. We used an intelligent driving platform built with the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, a front wide-angle camera, and a 1:16 scale model car to achieve real-time acceleration and deceleration while performing road tracking. Existing models cannot learn steering angle and throttle values well. This research proposed a novel architecture CNN model (PBLM-CNN21) to achieve real-time acceleration and deceleration while achieving road tracking. The PBLM-CNN21 model can learn steering angle and throttle value. The training loss value of our proposed PBLM-CNN21 model was 35% lower than the current TDD model, and the stability of our proposed road tracking model was 82% greater than that of the current TDD model. Furthermore, we tested the impact of different hyper-parameters on training model loss and road tracking performance. In addition, we also tested the effectiveness of varying lighting conditions and speed ratios on road tracking performance. The PBLM-CNN21 model proved more robust than the existing TDD models. Moreover, the PBLM-CNN21 model achieved road tracking under different lighting conditions and was more suitable for high-speed ratios.

Determining the Statistical Significance of Change in Road Tracking Performance of Individual Drivers in Repeated Measures Designs

Determining the Statistical Significance of Change in Road Tracking Performance of Individual Drivers in Repeated Measures Designs

An explorative approach to understanding individual differences in driving performance and neurocognition in long‐term benzodiazepine users

ObjectivePrevious research reported cognitive and psychomotor impairments in long‐term users of benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs). This article explores the role of acute intoxication and clinical complaints.MethodsNeurocognitive and on‐road driving performance of 19 long‐term (≥6 months) regular (≥twice weekly) BZRA users with estimated plasma concentrations, based on self‐reported use, exceeding the therapeutic threshold (CBZRA+), and 31 long‐term regular BZRA users below (CBZRA−), was compared to that of 76 controls.ResultsBZRA users performed worse on tasks of response speed, processing speed, and sustained attention. Age, but not CBZRA or self‐reported clinical complaints, was a significant covariate. Road‐tracking performance was explained by CBZRA only. The CBZRA + group exhibited increased mean standard deviation of lateral position comparable to that at blood‐alcohol concentrations of 0.5 g/L.ConclusionsFunctional impairments in long‐term BZRA users are not attributable to self‐reported clinical complaints or estimated BZRA concentrations, except for road‐tracking, which was impaired in CBZRA + users. Limitations to address are the lack of assessment of objective clinical complaints, acute task related stress, and actual BZRA plasma concentrations. In conclusion, the results confirm previous findings that demonstrate inferior performance across several psychomotor and neurocognitive domains in long‐term BZRA users.

Driver directional control using two-point preview and fuzzy decision

Abstract Based on the far and near preview cues, a novel driver directional control model is proposed, assuming that drivers employ the cue of the far point preview to estimate the desired steering angle, and then apply the cue of the near point preview to revise the desired steering angle for controlling direction of the vehicle. To estimate the desired steering angle, the far preview point is employed to modeling driver's direction control intention; with the help of fuzzy inference approach, the near point information can be used to correct driver's direction control intention. The simulation results show that the direction angle as a visual cue can be applied to guide the steering process effectively. In addition, the two-point preview model provides better road tracking performance than traditional ones.

The effects of acute treatment with ramelteon, triazolam, and placebo on driving performance, cognitive function, and equilibrium function in healthy volunteers.

Hypnotics are widely used to treat insomnia but adverse effects of different hypnotics, especially benzodiazepine receptor agonists, are getting more attention lately. The effects of novel hypnotics have not been fully examined. This study aims to assess the effects of two hypnotics, ramelteon and triazolam, on driving performance, cognitive function, and equilibrium function. In this double-blinded, three-way crossover trial, 17 healthy males received acute doses of 8mg ramelteon, 0.125mg triazolam, and placebo. The subjects were administered three driving tasks-road-tracking, car-following, and harsh-braking-using a driving simulator and three cognitive tasks-Continuous Performance Test, N-back Test, and Trail-Making Test-at baseline and at 1 and 4h post-dosing. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores and computerized posturography were also assessed. In the driving simulations, ramelteon and triazolam increased the number of subjects who slid off the road. Triazolam increased the standard deviation of lateral position compared to ramelteon and placebo at 1h post-dosing. Ramelteon and triazolam significantly increased the time to complete of Trail-Making Test part A and the environmental area in posturography compared to placebo at 1 and 4h post-dosing. Ramelteon and triazolam significantly increased subjective sleepiness compared to placebo at 1h post-dosing. Ramelteon may affect road-tracking performance, visual attention and/or psychomotor speed measured by Trail-Making Test part A, and body balance in acute dosing. Lower dose of triazolam also impaired performance worse than ramelteon. Physicians should consider risks and benefits when prescribing both drugs, especially in the initial period of administration.

Effects of repeated dosing with mirtazapine, trazodone, or placebo on driving performance and cognitive function in healthy volunteers

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of repeated treatments with the sedative antidepressants mirtazapine and trazodone on driving performance and cognitive function. Nineteen healthy men received continuous nocturnal doses of 15-mg mirtazapine , 25-mg trazodone, or placebo for 8 days in a double-blinded, three-way crossover trial. Subjects were asked to perform three driving tasks (road tracking, car following, and harsh braking) using a driving simulator and cognitive tasks (the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Continuous Performance Test, and N-back Test) at baseline and on Days 2 and 9. Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores were also assessed. Mirtazapine significantly increased the standard deviation of lateral position in the road-tracking task as compared with trazodone on Day 2. Mirtazapine significantly increased Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores as compared with trazodone and placebo. For the remaining tasks, no significant effects of treatment were observed. Acute treatment of mirtazapine impaired road-tracking performance and increased sleepiness, but sedative effects disappeared under repeated administrations. Trazodone did not affect driving performance or cognitive function under acute or repeated administrations. Both initial sedative effects and pharmacological profiles should be taken into consideration when using sedative antidepressants.

Plasma amitriptyline level after acute administration, and driving performance in healthy volunteers

Amitriptyline triggers the impairment of cognitive and motor functions and has been confirmed to have harmful effects on driving performance. Although interindividual differences in plasma concentration may cause variations in driving performance, the relationship between plasma amitriptyline concentration and its effect on driving performance has not been completely elucidated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of individual pharmacokinetic differences on driving performance and cognitive functions. In this double-blinded study, 17 healthy male volunteers were given an acute, single, 25-mg dose of amitriptyline. The subjects were assigned three driving simulator tasks, three cognitive tasks, and the questionnaire of the Stanford Sleepiness Scale at the baseline and at 4 h after dosing. The plasma amitriptyline concentrations were measured on high-performance liquid chromatography. A significant positive correlation was observed between the plasma amitriptyline concentration and road-tracking performance (r = 0.543, P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the plasma amitriptyline concentration and other driving performance, cognitive functions, and subjective somnolence. Amitriptyline produces a concentration-related impairment on road-tracking performance. Therapeutic monitoring of amitriptyline would be useful for predicting the difficulties involved while driving.

Stimulant effects of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) 75 mg and methylphenidate 20 mg on actual driving during intoxication and withdrawal

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is currently one of the most popular drugs of abuse in Europe. Its increasing use over the last decade has led to concern regarding possible adverse effects on driving. The aims of the present study were to investigate the acute effects of MDMA on actual driving performance during the intoxication and withdrawal phase. Eighteen recreational MDMA-users (nine males, nine females) aged 21-39 years participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way cross-over study. MDMA 75 mg, methylphenidate 20 mg and placebo were administered on day 1 of treatment (intoxication phase). Driving tests were conducted between 3 and 5 hours post-drug. Subjects returned the following day for a repetition of the driving tests between 27 and 29 hours post-drug (withdrawal phase). On-the-road driving tests consisted of a road-tracking test and a car-following test. Its main parameters were standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), time to speed adaptation (TSA), brake reaction time (BRT) and gain. MDMA and methylphenidate significantly decreased SDLP in the road-tracking tests by about 2 cm relative to placebo on day 1 (intoxication phase). In addition, MDMA intoxication decreased performance in the car-following test as indicated by a significant rise in the 'overshoot' of the subjects' response to speed decelerations of the leading vehicle. Driving performance was not affected by treatments during withdrawal on day 2. Collectively, these data indicate that MDMA is a stimulant drug that may improve certain aspects of the driving task, such as road-tracking performance, but may reduce performance in other aspects of the driving task, such as accuracy of speed adaptation during car-following performance.

MDMA and alcohol effects, combined and alone, on objective and subjective measures of actual driving performance and psychomotor function

The party drug ecstasy is frequently used in combination with other drugs like marihuana and alcohol. In addition, a substantial proportion of the MDMA users has claimed to drive a car when under the influence of MDMA and/or other drugs. To assess the effects of MDMA and alcohol, combined and alone, on actual driving performance and laboratory tasks related to driving. Eighteen healthy subjects participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, six-way cross-over study. Treatments consisted of MDMA 0, 75, and 100 mg with and without alcohol, aiming at 0.06 mg/ml BAC. Laboratory tests (critical tracking task, object movement estimation task) were conducted between 1.5 and 2 h postdrug (0.5 and 1 h postalcohol). Actual driving tests (road tracking test, car-following test) were conducted between 3 and 5 h postdrug (2 and 4 h postalcohol). Subjects completed the addiction research center inventory (ARCI) and rated their driving quality and mental effort during driving. Alcohol alone impaired critical tracking performance, as well as a number of actual driving performance parameters [i.e., standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), brake reaction time, and coherence]. MDMA alone reduced SDLP and standard deviation of speed. MDMA significantly moderated alcohol induced impairment of road tracking performance but did not affect alcohol impairments of car-following and laboratory task performance. Subjective data seemed to support objective data. MDMA moderated the impairing effects of a low dose of alcohol on road tracking performance but it could not overcome alcohol-induced impairment on other aspects of driving behavior or driving related performance.

A new reinforcement learning vehicle control architecture for vision-based road following

A new dynamic control architecture based on reinforcement learning (RL) has been developed and applied to the problem of high-speed road following of high-curvature roads. Through RL, the control system indirectly learns the vehicle-road interaction dynamics, knowledge which is essential to stay on the road in high-speed road tracking. First, computer simulation has been carried out in order to test stability and performance of the proposed RL controller before actual use. The proposed controller exhibited a good road tracking performance, especially on high-curvature roads. Then, the actual autonomous driving experiments successfully verified the control performance on campus roads in which there were shadows from the trees, noisy and/or broken lane markings, different road curvatures, and also different times of the day reflecting a range of lighting conditions. The proposed three-stage image processing algorithm and the use of all six strips of edges have been capable of handling most of the uncertainties arising from the nonideal road conditions.