Project on Road Distractions

Project on Road Distractions
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(July 31, 2012)
Contents
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Abstract  PAGEREF _Toc331594840 \h
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Introduction  PAGEREF _Toc331594841 \h
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Background of the Study  PAGEREF _Toc331594842 \h
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Hypothesis  PAGEREF _Toc331594843 \h
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Experimental Questions  PAGEREF _Toc331594844 \h
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Methodology  PAGEREF _Toc331594845 \h
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Materials Needed  PAGEREF _Toc331594846 \h
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Results  PAGEREF _Toc331594847 \h
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Analysis  PAGEREF _Toc331594848 \h
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Conclusion  PAGEREF _Toc331594849 \h
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Table of Figures
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Figure 1: A typical sequence of events in the car-following paradigm  PAGEREF _Toc331594856 \h
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Figure 2: A framework for conceptualizing the sources of driver distraction.  PAGEREF _Toc331594857 \h
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Abstract
Recent studies show that there has been an increase in road accidents due to distracted driving road accidents. London survey shows that 16% of fatal accidents and approximately 25% of injuries witnessed in our roads are as a result of distracted driving. In addition, scientific studies show that using a cell-phone while driving slows the reaction time just the same way as alcohol affects a drunkard driver. Therefore, these statistics show that it is not possible to ignore the cell-phone effect while driving in the modern society.
In this study, “invent” the nature of the experiment, I wanted to find out whether the distractions caused while driving such as using the cell-phone has the same effect in driving such as swerving, tracking alongside another car and to find out whether there are any significant differences on how various types of cognitive processes affect a person while driving. Consequently, the results in this study will shape some light on whether trying to figure out the cost of something one is about to buy can distract one more than trying to remember something you had misplaced or does music have any effect to the one driving?
Introduction
Background of the Study
Distractions while driving has been an issue in our roads for sometime now. This experiment aims at notifying people about distractions in our roads while they are driving and give them information about this issue, consequently, the study aims to find out whether there are any “recognizable” patterns experienced in distracted driving and if there are any visual cues to help in law enforcement or assist in locating dangerous drivers in our roads (Boruch 2005).
In order to realize this, I came up with a C# program to create a driving analog, whereby a user would be required to turn left or right while driving at different speed based on the speed limit in the speedometer at the same time implementing different distractions as experienced in our roads. The implementation was in the form of questions and music that required the driver to respond to in a verbal manner. This experiment gave results in a row of data that included the position, speed and the error in the categories included at a rate of 10 Hz, for the whole test. The program outputs the results to an FTP location to be collected and analyzed.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis in this study is that different distractions have varied effects on driver performance.
Experimental Questions
This experiment aimed at answering the questions like: Does the use of cell-phones while driving affect the driver? Are there any cognitive processes that have more effect while driving than others? Does there exist any recognized driving patterns visible during the distraction process?
Methodology
This experiment was possible through the use of a driving analog that was designed using the C# language. However, this analog required turning and navigating on the road at the same time taking control of the speed. Consequently, while the subject in this study was responsible for doing the turning and navigation, the instructions were provided by the computer. However, in case the instructions were in question form the subject was required to answer them in a verbal way. During this process, data was collected and output automatically to the FTP lo...