Driver Visual Behavior While Using Handsfree

Driver distraction can arise from sources internal as well as external to the driver. In this paper we describe a study (in progress) designed to examine the influence of internal distraction, created by cognitive tasks, on drivers’ visual behavior and vehicle control. Sixteen drivers will drive a city route while carrying out tasks of varying cognitive complexity. The tasks and their responses will be communicated via a handsfree cell phone so that drivers will not have to look away from the road or manually operate the phone. Driver performance will be examined under conditions of close vehicle following and more open driving conditions. Visual scanning patterns will be recorded using eyetracking equipment, measures of vehicle control will be obtained using the MicroDAS system, and drivers’ subjective evaluation of workload and safety will be assessed through questionnaires. Based on previous research, it is expected that increased cognitive load will result in a reduced area of visual inspection. In addition, detailed analyses will be made of the fixation distributions as a function of cognitive task. The results of this study will contribute to the understanding of driver internal distraction that may be associated with voice interactive technologies.