Analyzing Driver Distraction During Animal Crossings on Rural Roads: Insights from Eye-Tracking and Vehicle in-the-Loop Simulation
Description
Rural roads continue to be among the riskiest and least understood driving conditions. Using a vehicle-in-the-loop driving simulator and Tobii Glasses 3 eye-tracking technology, this study examined driving performance and behavior on rural roads in three different visibility scenarios: high (during the day), medium and low(during the night). A comparison of driver attention and decision-making in manual and Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) modes was made possible by the inclusion of actual risks in the simulations, such as roadside distractions and animal crossings considering both animal walking and running cross the road. Important findings showed that drivers’ ability to notice hazards was seriously lacking in areas including failing to keep safe distances and ignoring animal crossings. The unpredictable and low visibility of rural areas, where cognitive load and attention demands were higher, made it difficult for ADAS systems to prevent crashes, even though they were successful in controlled circumstances. These findings highlight the necessity of more sophisticated sensors, cameras, and radars to improve ADAS functionality in rural areas. This work offers important insights into how visual attention, cognitive functions, and driving performance interact. These insights can be used to develop adaptive ADAS systems, improve road safety, and solve the particular difficulties associated with driving in rural areas