Auditory Information Improves Time-to-collision Estimation for Accelerating Vehicles

Abstract To cross a road safely, pedestrians estimate the time remaining until an approaching vehicle arrives at their location (time-to-collision, TTC). For visually presented accelerated objects, however, TTC estimates are known to show first-order pattern indicating that acceleration is not adequately considered. We investigated whether added sound can reduce these estimation errors. Twenty-five participants estimated of vehicles with constant velocity or accelerating, from pedestrian’s perspective curb in traffic simulation. visually-only accelerating vehicles, showed expected and thus large With sound, was largely removed, were significantly more accurate compared visual-only presentation. velocities, both presentation conditions predominantly accurate. Taken together, compensate for erroneous visual presumably by promoting consideration acceleration.