2,040 research outputs found

    Take It to the Curb: Scalable Communication Between Autonomous Cars and Vulnerable Road Users Through Curbstone Displays

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    Automated driving will require new approaches to the communication between vehicles and vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as pedestrians, e.g., through external human-machine interfaces (eHMIs). However, the majority of eHMI concepts are neither scalable (i.e., take into account complex traffic scenarios with multiple vehicles and VRUs), nor do they optimize traffic flow. Speculating on the upgrade of traffic infrastructure in the automated city, we propose Smart Curbs, a scalable communication concept integrated into the curbstone. Using a combination of immersive and non-immersive prototypes, we evaluated the suitability of our concept for complex urban environments in a user study (N = 18). Comparing the approach to a projection-based eHMI, our findings reveal that Smart Curbs are safer to use, as our participants spent less time on the road when crossing. Based on our findings, we discuss the potential of Smart Curbs to mitigate the scalability problem in AV-pedestrian communication and simultaneously enhance traffic flow

    Eyes-Off Physically Grounded Mobile Interaction

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    This thesis explores the possibilities, challenges and future scope for eyes-off, physically grounded mobile interaction. We argue that for interactions with digital content in physical spaces, our focus should not be constantly and solely on the device we are using, but fused with an experience of the places themselves, and the people who inhabit them. Through the design, development and evaluation of a series ofnovel prototypes we show the benefits of a more eyes-off mobile interaction style.Consequently, we are able to outline several important design recommendations for future devices in this area.The four key contributing chapters of this thesis each investigate separate elements within this design space. We begin by evaluating the need for screen-primary feedback during content discovery, showing how a more exploratory experience can be supported via a less-visual interaction style. We then demonstrate how tactilefeedback can improve the experience and the accuracy of the approach. In our novel tactile hierarchy design we add a further layer of haptic interaction, and show how people can be supported in finding and filtering content types, eyes-off. We then turn to explore interactions that shape the ways people interact with aphysical space. Our novel group and solo navigation prototypes use haptic feedbackfor a new approach to pedestrian navigation. We demonstrate how variations inthis feedback can support exploration, giving users autonomy in their navigationbehaviour, but with an underlying reassurance that they will reach the goal.Our final contributing chapter turns to consider how these advanced interactionsmight be provided for people who do not have the expensive mobile devices that areusually required. We extend an existing telephone-based information service to support remote back-of-device inputs on low-end mobiles. We conclude by establishingthe current boundaries of these techniques, and suggesting where their usage couldlead in the future

    Influence of personal mobile phone ringing and usual intention to answer on driver error

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    Given evidence of effects of mobile phone use on driving, and also legislation, many careful drivers refrain from answering their phones when driving. However, the distracting influence of a call on driving, even in the context of not answering, has not been examined. Furthermore, given that not answering may be contrary to an individual’s normal habits, this study examined whether distraction caused by the ignored call varies according to normal intention to answer whilst driving. That is, determining whether the effect is more than a simple matter of noise distraction. Participants were 27 young drivers (18-29 years), all regular mobile users. A Theory of Planned Behaviour questionnaire examined predictors of intention to refrain from answering calls whilst driving. Participants provided their mobile phone number and were instructed not to answer their phone if it were to ring during a driving simulation. The simulation scenario had seven hazards (e.g. car pulling out, pedestrian crossing) with three being immediately preceded by a call. Infractions (e.g. pedestrian collisions, vehicle collisions, speed exceedances) were significantly greater when distracted by call tones than with no distraction. Lower intention to ignore calls whilst driving correlated with a larger effect of distraction, as was feeling unable to control whether one answered whilst driving (Perceived Behavioural Control). The study suggests that even an ignored call can cause significantly increased infractions in simulator driving, with pedestrian collisions and speed exceedances being striking examples. Results are discussed in relation to cognitive demands of inhibiting normal behaviour and to drivers being advised to switch phones off whilst driving

    Overcoming Spatial Deskilling Using Landmark-Based Navigation Assistance Systems

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    Abstract Background The repeated use of navigation assistance systems leads to decreased spatial orienting abilities. Previous studies demonstrated that augmentation of landmarks using auditory navigation instructions can improve incidental spatial learning when driving on a single route through an unfamiliar environment. Objective Based on these results, a series of experiments was conducted to further investigate both the impairment of spatial knowledge acquisition by standard navigation instructions and the positive impact of landmark augmentation in auditory navigation instructions on incidental spatial learning. Method The first Experiment replicated the previous setup in a driving simulator without additional visual route indicators. In a second experiment, spatial knowledge was tested after watching a video depicting assisted navigation along a real-world urban route. Finally, a third Experiment investigated incidental spatial knowledge acquisition when participants actively navigated through an unrestricted real-world,urban environment. Results All three experiments demonstrated better cued-recall performance for participants navigating with landmark-based auditory navigation instructions as compared to standard instructions. Notably, standard instructions were associated with reduced learning of landmarks at navigation relevant intersections as compared to landmarks alongside straight segments and the recognition of novel landmarks. Conclusion The results revealed a suppression of spatial learning by established navigation instructions, which were overcome by landmark-based navigation instructions. This emphasizes the positive impact of auditory landmark augmentation on incidental spatial learning and its generalizability to real-life settings. Application This research is paving the way for navigation assistants that, instead of impairing orienting abilities, incidentally foster spatial learning during every-day navigation. Précis This series of three experiments replicates the suppression of spatial learning by standard navigation instructions and the positive impact of landmark augmentation in auditory navigation instructions on incidental spatial learning during assisted navigation. Three experiments with growing degree of realism revealed the applicability and generalizability to real-life settings

    License to Supervise:Influence of Driving Automation on Driver Licensing

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    To use highly automated vehicles while a driver remains responsible for safe driving, places new – yet demanding, requirements on the human operator. This is because the automation creates a gap between drivers’ responsibility and the human capabilities to take responsibility, especially for unexpected or time-critical transitions of control. This gap is not being addressed by current practises of driver licensing. Based on literature review, this research collects drivers’ requirements to enable safe transitions in control attuned to human capabilities. This knowledge is intended to help system developers and authorities to identify the requirements on human operators to (re)take responsibility for safe driving after automation

    Identification of road user related risk factors, deliverable 4.1 of the H2020 project SafetyCube.

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    Safety CaUsation, Benefits and Efficiency (SafetyCube) is a European Commission supported Horizon 2020 project with the objective of developing an innovative road safety Decision Support System (DSS). The DSS will enable policy-makers and stakeholders to select and implement the most appropriate strategies, measures, and cost-effective approaches to reduce casualties of all road user types and all severities. This document is the first deliverable (4.1) of work package 4 which is dedicated to identifying and assessing human related risk factors and corresponding countermeasures as well as their effect on road safety. The focus of deliverable 4.1 is on identification and assessment of risk factors and describes the corresponding operational procedure and corresponding outcomes. The following steps have been carried out: Identification of human related risk factors – creation of a taxonomy Consultation of relevant stakeholders and policy papers for identification of topic with high priority (‘hot topics’) Systematic literature search and selection of relevant studies on identified risk factors •Coding of studies •Analysis of risk factors on basis of coded studies •Synopses of risk factors, including accident scenarios The core output of this task are synopses of risk factors which will be available through the DSS. Within the synopses, each risk factor was analysed systematically on basis of scientific studies and is further assigned to one of four levels of risk (marked with a colour code). Essential information of the more than 180 included studies were coded and will also be available in the database of the DSS. Furthermore, the synopses contain theoretical background on the risk factor and are prepared in different sections with different levels of detail for an academic as well as a non-academic audience. These sections are readable independently. It is important to note that the relationship between road safety and road user related risk factors is a difficult task. For some risk factors the available studies focused more on conditions of the behaviour (in which situations the behaviour is shown or which groups are more likely to show this behaviour) rather than the risk factor itself. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that those risk factors that have not often been studied or have to rely more indirect and arguably weaker methodologies, e.g. self-reports , do not increase the chance of a crash occurring. The following analysed risk factors were assessed as ‘risky’, ‘probably risky’ or ‘unclear’. No risk factors were identified as ‘probably not risky’. Risky Probably risky Unclear • Influenced driving – alcohol • Influenced Driving – drugs (legal & illegal) • Speeding and inappropriate speed • Traffic rule violations – red light running • Distraction – cell phone use (hand held) • Distraction – cell phone use (hands free) • Distraction – cell phone use (texting) • Fatigue – sleep disorders – sleep apnea • Risk taking – overtaking • Risk taking – close following behaviour • Insufficient knowledge and skills • Functional impairment – cognitive impairment • Functional impairment – vision loss • Diseases and disorders – diabetes • Personal factors – sensation seeking • Personal factors – ADHD • Emotions – anger, aggression • Fatigue – Not enough sleep/driving while tired • Distraction – conversation with passengers • Distraction – outside of vehicle • Distraction – cognitive overload and inattention • Functional impairment – hearing loss (few studies) • Observation errors (few studies) • Distraction – music – entertainment systems (many studies, mixed results) • Distraction – operating devices (many studies, mixed results) The next step in SafetyCube’s WP4 is to identify and assess the effectiveness of measures and to establish a link to the identified risk factors. The work of this first task indicates a set of risk factors that should be centre of attention when identifying corresponding road safety measures (category ‘risky’)

    Situated navigation support for heterogeneous large crowds via augmented signage

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    PhD ThesisNavigating unfamiliar places is a common problem people face, and there is a wealth of commercial and research-based applications particularly for mobile devices that provide support in these settings. While many of these solutions work well on an individual level, they are less well suited for very crowded situations, e.g. sports matches, festivals and fairs, or religious events such as pilgrimages. In a large crowd, attending to a mobile device can be hazardous, the underlying technology might not scale well, and some people might be excluded due to not having access to a mobile device. Public signage does not suffer from these issues, and consequently, people frequently rely on signage in crowded settings. However, a key disadvantage of public signage is that it does not provide personalised navigation support. We have therefore investigated augmented signage as a navigation support system for use in large crowds. This thesis investigates the issues of guidance by augmented displays and how this can be made more suitable for people who navigate in groups in unfamiliar areas. In this context we have undertaken three studies as examples to explore how augmented displays can provide aid to people in crowded places. In the first study, we investigated the question of whether the use of dynamic public signage can help pilgrims count or remember the Tawaf rounds while walking around the Ka’bah. We analysed the current situation in Mecca based on a literature review and a series of interviews with pilgrims, who had completed at least one pilgrimage (already visited Mecca). We then presented a prototypical dynamic signage and reported on a user study we conducted in a realistic setting in order to evaluate the system. The results suggest that dynamic signage may be a feasible option to improve the safety of pilgrims in Mecca. In the second study, we introduced a scalable signage-based approach and present results from a comparison study contrasting two designs for augmented signage with a base approach. The results provide evidence that such a system could be easily useable, may reduce task load, and could improve navigation performance. In the final study, we developed public displays (static and dynamic signage) and investigated the ability of using such displays to assist pilgrims of Mecca to find each other after becoming separated while performing rituals inside the Haram (e.g. Tawaf pillar). Once again here we have addressed the issue through a series of interviews with people who had experienced pilgrimage before. Then we constructed a full idea that allowed us to design the initial system and presented it in a focus group session to gain feedback and redesign the system. Afterwards, we conducted a lab-based user study. The results we obtained suggest that a person can extract information (by reading the dynamic signage), also results showed that users were able to remember their information (whilst completing some distraction tasks), and then they completed the static signs tasks successfully. Generally results showed that the system can indicate people to the right place where they can meet again after becoming separated. In general, these results provided good evidence that augmented signage supported by colour and visual codes might provide considerable help in situations with large and heterogeneous crowds. It might be developed and used in different settings for provisional navigation information and allow multi-users to extract their personalised information individually
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