Improvement of visual attention in road traffic with the help of a “visual field assistant“
In previous laboratory investigations of the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), the causes of driving errors of elderly drivers were investigated on the basis of driving-like tasks regarding visual-spatial attention processes. It was found that driving errors of elderly road users are often due to age-specific cognitive performance limitations. In addition, it became apparent that the elderly, compared to younger people, have difficulties in visual-spatial information processing, but perform comparably well when peripheral information is presented as close as possible to their central visual field (visual field assistant). On behalf of BASt, it has now been investigated to what extent technical support in the form of a visual field assistant can contribute to improving visual attention in road traffic.
The driving simulator studies showed positive effects of a centrally displayed warning of peripheral vehicles for both groups of test subjects. Both the age and interaction effects indicate that all drivers benefit from such a system. Especially for elderly drivers such a warning system has an increased potential to improve road safety.