Mitigating driver distraction with retrospective and concurrent feedback

OBJECTIVES: An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of retrospective and combined retrospective and concurrent feedback on driver performance and engagement in distracting activities. BACKGROUND: A previous study conducted by the authors showed that concurrent (or real time) feedback can help drivers better modulate their distracting activities. However, research also shows that concurrent feedback can pose additional distractions due to the limited time and resources available during driving. Retrospective feedback, which is presented at the end of a trip (i.e., post-drive), can include additional information on safety critical situations during a trip and help the driver learn safe driving habits. METHOD: A driving simulator study was conducted with 48 participants and 3 conditions: retrospective feedback, combined feedback (both retrospective and concurrent), and no feedback (baseline case). RESULTS: The feedback conditions (retrospective and combined) resulted in faster response to lead vehicle braking events as depicted by shorter accelerator release times. Moreover, combined feedback also resulted in longer glances to the road. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that both feedback types have potential to improve immediate driving performance and driver engagement in distractions. APPLICATION: Combined feedback holds the most promise for mitigating the effects of distraction from in-vehicle information systems.