A Driving Simulator Study to Examine the Role of Vehicle Acoustics on Drivers’ 
Speed Perception

Merat, Natasha; Jamson, Hamish · 2011 · Crossref

DOI: 10.17077/drivingassessment.1401

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Summary

This study investigates how the reduction of in-cab vehicle noise affects drivers’ ability to perceive and maintain speed. The research was motivated by industry trends toward quieter vehicles for improved comfort and policy initiatives for low-noise road surfaces, which collectively reduce auditory cues traditionally used for speed judgment. The authors hypothesized that the absence of these auditory cues could lead to inaccurate speed perception, potentially causing drivers to increase speed to compensate for the lack of feedback, thereby compromising safety. The experiment utilized a motion-based driving simulator with twelve licensed volunteers aged 19 to 30. Participants drove a traffic-free motorway section through three phases: Section A served as a baseline with both speedometer and normal vehicle acoustics available; Section B removed the speedometer but retained acoustics; and Section C removed both the speedometer and acoustics. In each phase, drivers were instructed to accelerate to 30 mph, maintain it for two minutes, accelerate to 70 mph, maintain it for two minutes, and then decelerate back to 30 mph for another two minutes. The order of Sections B and C was counterbalanced to mitigate learning effects. Results indicated that drivers’ speed maintenance was significantly more variable when auditory cues were absent. Statistical analysis revealed a significant main effect of section on speed variation, with Section C (no speedometer, no sound) showing greater variability than Sections A and B. Furthermore, speed variation was significantly higher at 70 mph compared to 30 mph across all conditions. Crucially, drivers tended to travel faster than the required speed when vehicle noise was removed, although their ability to maintain the target speed was generally poor at 70 mph even when auditory cues were present. The findings suggest that auditory feedback plays a critical role in speed perception, particularly at higher speeds. The removal of engine and rolling noise leads to increased speed variability and a tendency to overestimate speed, resulting in faster driving. The authors conclude that the increasing prevalence of quiet vehicles, including hybrids and electric cars, poses potential road safety risks due to impaired speed judgment. They emphasize that the implications of reduced auditory feedback on driver behavior and accident risk must be considered in vehicle design and future transport policies.

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Topics

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• speed distance perception
• music audio mood
• speed choice
• age related perceptual decline
• perceptual countermeasures
• auditory

Information type

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• Methodological Resource: validation psychometrics