Comparison of Teen Cell Phone and Passenger Conversation
Author(s):
S.T. Chrysler, A. Williams
Publication Date:
June 2005
Abstract:
Researchers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) recruited nine teenage subjects for a study comparing two types of situations involving novice drivers: driving with non-family teen passengers and driving while using a cell phone. The team also gathered data on no-distraction driving. At TTI, the participants used a DriveSafety™ simulator with a mid-sized sedan, which provided a realistic interactive driving experience. The simulator's computer was programmed to calculate measures of vehicle velocity, acceleration, steering, braking, lane position, x and y coordinates, time, and collision data. Driving performance data were also gathered for baseline driving, emergency vehicle rear approach, amber light dilemma zone, hidden pedestrians, lead vehicle braking, lane closure, and hidden car pullout. Preliminary data analysis suggested that distraction from in-vehicle passengers is more detrimental to driving than cell phone conversations/use.
Report Number:
150509-06
Electronic Link(s):
Document/Product
http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/150509-06.pdf
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