Reducing Elevated Gravitational-Force Events through visual feedback: a simulator study

Rossi, Riccardo; Tagliabue, Mariaelena; Gastaldi, Massimiliano; De, Giulia; Freuli, Francesca; Orsini, Federico; Stasi, Leandro L. Di; Vidotto, Giulio · 2021 · Transportation research procedia

DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2021.01.013

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Summary

This study investigates whether real-time visual feedback can reduce Elevated Gravitational-Force Events (EGFEs), defined as harsh driving maneuvers such as aggressive acceleration or braking, which are linked to road accidents. The research addresses the need for effective interventions to mitigate inappropriate driving speeds and harsh behaviors, particularly within the context of "Pay-how-you-drive" insurance programs that rely on telematics data to assess driver risk. The authors hypothesized that driving style would modulate the effectiveness of feedback, regardless of whether the feedback was positive or negative. The experiment utilized a dynamic driving simulator with a 15-minute, 11.5 km route featuring urban and non-urban tracks and specific risky traffic scenarios. Forty-three active drivers participated in a two-day evaluation. On the first day, participants completed a baseline session without feedback. Based on cluster analysis of 31 driving variables, participants were categorized into "defensive" or "aggressive" driving styles. One month later, during the second session, participants received contingent visual feedback: a bright white ring for smooth driving (positive feedback) or a dark purple ring for harsh driving (negative feedback). Participants were randomly assigned to receive either positive or negative feedback, creating four experimental groups. EGFEs were defined as acceleration exceeding 0.3g or deceleration exceeding -0.4g for more than one second. The results indicated that driving style significantly influenced EGFE occurrence, with aggressive drivers exhibiting nearly double the EGFEs of defensive drivers in the baseline session. Crucially, the provision of contingent feedback significantly reduced EGFEs among aggressive drivers, who decreased their harsh events from an average of 9.9 to 6.5. Defensive drivers showed a non-significant trend toward reduction, likely due to a floor effect as they already exhibited low EGFE counts. The type of feedback (positive vs. negative) did not significantly affect outcomes; both forms were equally effective in reducing harsh driving among aggressive drivers. The findings suggest that simple, real-time visual coaching can effectively improve driving safety by reducing harsh maneuvers, particularly in drivers with aggressive styles. This supports the potential integration of such feedback mechanisms into telematics-based insurance programs and driver training initiatives. The study implies that contingent feedback can complement existing punitive measures like fines, offering a proactive tool for risk assessment and prevention. Future research is recommended to test the long-term persistence of these effects, explore auditory feedback, and examine combined positive-negative feedback strategies.

Key finding

Contingent visual feedback significantly reduced the occurrence of harsh driving events among aggressive drivers, independent of whether the feedback was positive or negative.

Methodology

simulator

Sample size: 43

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