Evaluation of Drivers' Affectability and Satisfaction with Black Spots Warning Application

Yazdani, Mirbahador; Rassafi, Amir Abbas · 2019 · Crossref

DOI: 10.28991/cej-2019-03091269

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Summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness and user satisfaction of a map-based smartphone application designed to warn drivers of "black spots"—locations with high crash frequencies—on a two-way highway in North-West Iran. Motivated by the high cost and frequency of traffic accidents in Iran, the research aims to determine if hazard warning systems can improve driver behavior (affectability) and assess user acceptance of specific application features. The methodology involved a five-stage process. First, eight black spots were identified on a 91-kilometer highway using crash data from 2012–2016, analyzed via crash frequency, crash rate, and kernel density estimation. An Android application was then developed to provide audio and visual warnings 600 meters before these spots. The evaluation utilized 32 male drivers divided into an intervention group (warning active) and a control group (warning inactive). Speed data were recorded via GPS, and driver satisfaction was measured through an 11-question survey covering warning sound, image, distance, installation, and overall satisfaction. Results indicated that the warning application significantly improved driver behavior. The mean speed at black spots was significantly lower in the intervention group (64.5 km/h) compared to the control group (68.2 km/h), with a statistical significance confirmed at the 95% confidence level ($Z_d = 3.14$). Furthermore, the relative risk of exceeding the speed limit was 0.54, demonstrating a substantial reduction in speed violations when warnings were active. Regarding satisfaction, drivers reported high contentment with advisory audio warnings (announcing danger type) and warnings played through car speakers, but low satisfaction with smartphone speaker volume and visual warning signs, which were deemed too small. The 600-meter warning distance was well-received, though installation procedures were criticized as cumbersome. Crucially, 70% of drivers reported increased caution, and 75% stated the warnings did not cause distraction. The study concludes that map-based hazard warning systems are effective tools for reducing speeds and violations at high-risk locations without inducing driver distraction. However, the findings highlight specific design flaws: visual warnings require larger displays, audio should be routed through vehicle speakers rather than phones, and installation processes need simplification. The authors suggest future iterations adopt time-based warnings adjusted for vehicle speed and recommend broader testing across diverse demographic and environmental conditions to further validate the system’s potential for widespread road safety implementation.

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