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Journal of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles 2022, 5(2): 49-62 https://doi.org/10.1108/JICV-03-2021-0003
Research paper | Open Access | Issue | Published: 10 March 2022

Evaluating the moderating effect of in-vehicle warning information on mental workload and collision avoidance performance

Show Author's Information Chen Chai1( ),  Ziyao Zhou2,  Weiru Yin1,  David S. Hurwitz3,  Siyang Zhang1
College of Transportation Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China and The Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
Strategic Alliance and New Business Department, Saic General Motors Corporation Limited, Shanghai, China
School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
Keywords:
In-vehicle warning information, Driving simulator, Mental workload, Moderation effect, Forward collision warning
Cite this article:
Chai C, Zhou Z, Yin W, et al. Evaluating the moderating effect of in-vehicle warning information on mental workload and collision avoidance performance. Journal of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles, 2022, 5(2): 49-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICV-03-2021-0003
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Abstract Full text About this article
Purpose

The presentation of in-vehicle warnings information at risky driving scenarios is aimed to improve the collision avoidance ability of drivers. Existing studies have found that driver’s collision avoidance performance is affected by both warning information and driver’s workload. However, whether moderation and mediation effects exist among warning information, driver’s cognition, behavior and risky avoidance performance is unclear.

Design/methodology/approach

This purpose of this study is to examine whether the warning information type modifies the relationship between the forward collision risk and collision avoidance behavior. A driving simulator experiment was conducted with waring and command information.

Findings

Results of 30 participants indicated that command information improves collision avoidance behavior more than notification warning under the forward collision risky driving scenario. The primary reason for this is that collision avoidance behavior can be negatively affected by the forward collision risk. At the same time, command information can weaken this negative effect. Moreover, improved collision avoidance behavior can be achieved through increasing drivers’ mental workload.

Practical implications

The proposed model provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing collision avoidance behavior, thus contributing to improved in-vehicle information system design.

Originality/value

The significant moderation effects evoke the fact that information types and mental workloads are critical in improving drivers’ collision avoidance ability. Through further calibration with larger sample size, the proposed structural model can be used to predict the effect of in-vehicle warnings in different risky driving scenarios.


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Abstract
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About this article

Evaluating the moderating effect of in-vehicle warning information on mental workload and collision avoidance performance

Show Author's information Chen Chai1( ), Ziyao Zhou2, Weiru Yin1, David S. Hurwitz3, Siyang Zhang1
College of Transportation Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China and The Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
Strategic Alliance and New Business Department, Saic General Motors Corporation Limited, Shanghai, China
School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Abstract

Purpose

The presentation of in-vehicle warnings information at risky driving scenarios is aimed to improve the collision avoidance ability of drivers. Existing studies have found that driver’s collision avoidance performance is affected by both warning information and driver’s workload. However, whether moderation and mediation effects exist among warning information, driver’s cognition, behavior and risky avoidance performance is unclear.

Design/methodology/approach

This purpose of this study is to examine whether the warning information type modifies the relationship between the forward collision risk and collision avoidance behavior. A driving simulator experiment was conducted with waring and command information.

Findings

Results of 30 participants indicated that command information improves collision avoidance behavior more than notification warning under the forward collision risky driving scenario. The primary reason for this is that collision avoidance behavior can be negatively affected by the forward collision risk. At the same time, command information can weaken this negative effect. Moreover, improved collision avoidance behavior can be achieved through increasing drivers’ mental workload.

Practical implications

The proposed model provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing collision avoidance behavior, thus contributing to improved in-vehicle information system design.

Originality/value

The significant moderation effects evoke the fact that information types and mental workloads are critical in improving drivers’ collision avoidance ability. Through further calibration with larger sample size, the proposed structural model can be used to predict the effect of in-vehicle warnings in different risky driving scenarios.

Keywords: In-vehicle warning information, Driving simulator, Mental workload, Moderation effect, Forward collision warning

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Publication history
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Publication history

Received: 18 March 2021
Revised: 28 January 2022
Accepted: 02 February 2022
Published: 10 March 2022
Issue date: May 2022

Copyright

© 2022 Chen Chai, Ziyao Zhou, Weiru Yin, Hurwitz David and Siyang Zhang. Published in Journal of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited.

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