Review of Research on Drivers’ Hazard Perception

Long SUN CHANG Ruo-Song

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2014, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (6) : 1354-1358.

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PDF(5055 KB)
Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2014, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (6) : 1354-1358.

Review of Research on Drivers’ Hazard Perception

  • Long SUNCHANG Ruo-Song2
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Abstract

Hazard Perception, defined as drivers’ ability to detect the latent hazard and respond to it quickly. Hazard perception is a vital component to safe driving, which differs for one to another. It has been related causally to collision risks and it’s predictable to crash risk. This paper introduces the measurements and applications of hazard perception, aiming at providing some references for future researches. The main measurements used overseas are reaction time method, eye movement method as well as self-assessment method. Based on reaction time technique, Hazard perception test (HPT) is a popular tool used to evaluate drivers’ hazard perception. HPT requires drivers to touch the road users on the screen who are inclined to cause a traffic conflict. Reaction time will be recorded automatically when they touch the screen. At the same time, the location where drivers have touched will be recorded. HPT has been developed in a variety of formats, including those utilizing still images, dynamic video sequences and simulations. HPT is suitable for drivers of all the age and it has been using widely in drivers’ training, assessment and licensure. Using an eye tracker, we can record drivers’ fixation duration, fixation frequency as well as their visual search pattern. Furthermore, these can distinguish the subtle difference of hazard detection between novice and experienced drivers, and provides some basis for hazard perception training program. Also, researchers can split hazard perception reaction time into two parts: from the appearance of hazard to the first fixation, from the first fixation to the final reaction. It enables us to see whether the difference of hazard perception between novice and experienced drivers lies in the phrase of visual processing or cognitive processing. Typically, self-assessment method is always used with reaction time technique together. It requires drivers to rank or classify the hazards emerged in the video clips, or seek the correlations between the rating data and hazard perception reaction time. However, taking its subjective effect into consideration, the rating data, sometimes, can’t reflect the true nature of drivers’ hazard perception. The applications of hazard perception are mainly in the field of how to improve driver’s hazard anticipation ability and their visual search pattern. It’s highlighted that using driving stimulators is an effective tool for training. In the future, we should, firstly, pay more attention to explore the cognitive feature of hazard perception. Then, we should establish a model of its influencing factors so as to predict and analyze traffic accidents better. Finally, we should focus on the commercial applications of its measurements, for instance, developing a standardized HPT or a training intervention program.

Key words

hazard perception, reaction time, eye movements, self-assessment, hazard anticipation, visual search pattern

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Long SUN CHANG Ruo-Song. Review of Research on Drivers’ Hazard Perception[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2014, 37(6): 1354-1358
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