Design of augmented feedback to guide operator behaviour in safety-critical systems

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Around the world, more than 3,000 people die daily due to traffic crashes. In Canada, motor vehicle crashes result in approximately 2,500 fatalities and 15,000 serious injuries every year. Driver distraction is a growing problem that is estimated to cause between 13 and 50 percent of all crashes. The rapid development of sensor, wireless communication, and computing technology has given rise to a range of devices that are capable of entertaining, informing, and supporting the driver (e.g., MP3 players, cellular phones, and navigation systems). However, these devices may also undermine safety due to conflicts between the demands of the in-vehicle information system (IVIS) and the demands of driving. Drivers currently receive feedback (e.g., variable message signs) that shapes their immediate response to the driving situation and their long-term behaviour. The available feedback is generally dependent on the environment, is not tailored to the behaviour of the individual, and may be absent in some situations. Emerging vehicle technology (e.g., eye trackers) makes it possible to create augmented feedback that avoids these limits. Such feedback can improve response to roadway events and can also induce positive behaviour. The proposed research program will develop a comprehensive framework for distraction mitigation, by developing a fundamental understanding on feedback design to guide appropriate operator behaviour. Through statistical analysis of crash data and experiments conducted on the road and in simulation environments, this research will identify and model the effects of factors which guide distraction-related behaviour. Different feedback characteristics will then be evaluated through driving simulator experiments. The key findings obtained will also be validated in another safety-critical domain, namely haul truck driving in open-pit mines. The findings from this research will provide direct benefits to traffic safety as well as the mining industry in Canada and worldwide.