Influencing speed perception through visual cues in the driving environment

Jennifer Sudkamp & Eirin Olaussen Ryeng

Factors influencing drivers’ choice ofspeed

WHO (2004). World report on road traffic injury prevention.

Determinants of speed perception

• Visual cues

• Haptic cues

• Auditory cues

• Centrifugal forces

Optical Flow

Gibson (1979). The ecological approach to visual perception.

Edge Rate

Perceptual countermeasures to speeding

Katz (2004). Pavement Markings for Speed Reduction.

Illusion of acceleration

Wan et al. (2015). Speed control method for highway tunnel safety on visual illusion.

Study 1 - How does edge rate influence speed perception?

High Frequency Medium Frequency Low Frequency

Distance 2 m 4 m 8 m

Edge Rate at 60kmh 8.33 Hz 4.17 Hz 2.08 Hz

Speed-discrimination task

Standard Comparison

60 km/h 40 – 80 km/h

Faster, equal or slower?

Standard

Faster? Equal? Slower?

Sample data

Hypotheses

• High frequencies

Overestimation of speed

Lower point of subjective equality

• Low frequencies

Underestimation of speed

Higher point of subjective equality

Outlook

Will the results be reflected on the behavioral level?

- A driving simulator study -

Outlook

How does multifrequent edge rate information affectspeed perception?

Wan et al (2015). Speed control method for highway tunnel safety based on visual illusion.

Conclusions on design

• Perceptual countermeasures to speeding

• Road environments that support adequate speed choices