The purpose of the current study was to assess the efficacy of mental models as a predictor of driving outcomes. In contrast to more traditional measures of knowledge, mental models capture the configural property of knowledge, that is, an individual's understanding of the interrelationships that exist among critical concepts within a particular knowledge domain. Given that research has consistently shown the usefulness of mental models for the prediction of performance in a number of settings, it was hypothesized that the development of accurate driving mental models would also play an important role in the prediction of driving outcomes, especially in comparison to traditional measures of driving knowledge—such as the multiple-choice type tests typically required to obtain a driver license. Mental models of 130 college students (52 percent females) between 17 and 21 years-old (M = 18.68, SD = 0.80) were analyzed and compared to a subject matter expert (SME) referent structure using Pathfinder. A statistically significant correlation was found for mental model accuracy and moving violations (r = –.18, p <.05), but not for at-fault crashes. Evidence of incremental validity of mental models over commonly used predictors of moving violations (but not for at-fault crashes) was also found. Exploratory analyses revealed that driving knowledge, general mental ability (GMA), and emotional stability were the best predictors of mental model accuracy. Issues related to the measurement of mental models were extensively addressed. First, statistically significant correlations between GMA and several mental model properties (i.e., accuracy scores, within participant similarity, and within participant correlation) suggest that challenges inherent to the task for eliciting mental models may influence mental model scores which, in turn, may lower mental model reliability estimates. Also, the selection of model components (i.e., terms) and the identification of the "best" reference structure for deriving mental model accuracy scores are undoubtedly critical aspects of mental model-related research. Along with illustrating the decisions made in the context of this particular study, some suggestions for conducting mental model-related research are provided.

Decades of research suggest that talking on a cell phone interferes with driving performance, but the underlying mechanisms of this interference remain poorly understood. Driving and cell phone research often generalizes easy, novice laboratory tasks to the well practiced task of driving, and it frequently ignores important factors like emotion in tasks used to represent cell phone conversation. This experiment sought to address these issues. Participants performed a tracking task and two verbal tasks over 7 one-hour sessions. At some times the tasks were performed individually, and at others the tracking task was performed concurrently with one of the verbal tasks. Participants watched an anger-inducing film clip at the beginning of the 7th session and were instructed to either down-regulate or maintain that anger. Results challenged the validity of generalizing easy novice task performance to driving performance.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the effect of a feedback-reward system on speeding and tailgating behaviours. Data utilized in this study were collected from 37 participants through a field trial commissioned by Transport Canada. In this trial, a feedback-reward system was investigated, which provided feedback and rewards to the drivers based on speed limit compliance and safe headway maintenance. The trial consisted of three phases: baseline, intervention, and post-intervention. During the intervention phase, real-time feedback was provided on an in-vehicle display. Participants also accumulated reward points and could view related information on a website. Results indicate that the intervention resulted in a significant increase in speed limit compliance, and this positive effect, although dampened, was still apparent after system removal. Similarly, results on headway compliance rate indicate a positive intervention effect, however, this effect did not sustain after system removal. These findings have implications for developing better aids to improve driving behaviour.

This thesis investigates the effect of a feedback-reward system on speeding and tailgating behaviours. Data utilized in this study were collected from 37 participants through a field trial commissioned by Transport Canada. In this trial, a feedback-reward system was investigated, which provided feedback and rewards to the drivers based on speed limit compliance and safe headway maintenance. The trial consisted of three phases: baseline, intervention, and post-intervention. During the intervention phase, real-time feedback was provided on an in-vehicle display. Participants also accumulated reward points and could view related information on a website. Results indicate that the intervention resulted in a significant increase in speed limit compliance, and this positive effect, although dampened, was still apparent after system removal. Similarly, results on headway compliance rate indicate a positive intervention effect, however, this effect did not sustain after system removal. These findings have implications for developing better aids to improve driving behaviour.

Thesis (M.Sc. Chemistry)--University of Waikato, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, 2004. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Apr. 21, 2005. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-153). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

This thesis on the analysis of the main reasons influencing the energy consumption in the moving transport vehicles is focused on point out the effect of the driving resistances and other quantities on the total energy consumption. In the first part the thesis deals with the theory of road transport, theory of driving resistances and also economics of driving and measurement of fuel consumption. The second part deals with the calculation of resistance of selected cars and their consumption.

Submitted by BETHANYA GRAICK CARIZIO null (bethanya.carizio@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-04-18T04:21:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO_BETHANYA_G_CARIZIO_PPG_DESIGN.pdf: 4436212 bytes, checksum: f2f9fe75b5430036c2548a2454b777fd (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-04-19T13:26:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 carizio_bc_me_bauru.pdf: 4436212 bytes, checksum: f2f9fe75b5430036c2548a2454b777fd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-19T13:26:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 carizio_bc_me_bauru.pdf: 4436212 bytes, checksum: f2f9fe75b5430036c2548a2454b777fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-17 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O uso de telefone celular durante a condução de automóvel é uma causa importante de risco aumentado de acidentes. Distratores, como conversar ao telefone celular no modo viva-voz ou segurando o equipamento na mão, interferem no mecanismo atencional, e tendem a perturbar o comportamento perceptual e motor dos motoristas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito distrator de usar o telefone celular (condições viva-voz e na mão) sobre o comportamento perceptivo-motor de motoristas durante a direção simulada de automóvel. Dez motoristas novatos e dez experientes tiveram a cinemática de olhos e cabeça mensurada enquanto dirigiam em um simulador de direção sob condições de 80-120 km/h de velocidade, luz do dia, trajetória linear e baixo nível de tráfego. De modo geral, os resultados mostraram que o número de fixações aumentou, o tempo relativo de fixação diminuiu, a variância horizontal e vertical do olhar, a variância da posição e da orientação da cabeça aumentou durante as condições de uso do celular viva-voz e na mão, comparadas à condição controle (sem conversa). Efeitos dos grupos de experiência não foram observados. Em suma, conversar ao telefone celular tende a perturbar a atenção devido à diminuição da estabilidade de olho e da cabeça; consequentemente, à obtenção de informação visual relevante para a segurança da direção. Áreas de estudo como o design ergonômico podem efetivamente auxiliar o planejamento de equipamentos e de aparelhos que atendem às demandas cognitivas, perceptuais e motoras dos motoristas, contribuindo para a segurança no trânsito. / Using a mobile phone while driving a car is an important cause of increase ed risk of accidents. Distractors such as talking on a cell phone in speakerphone mode or holding the device in hand interfere in the attentional mechanism and tend to disrupt drivers’ perceptual and motor behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distractor effect of using a cell phone (speakerphone mode and in hand conditions) on drivers’ perceptual-motor behavior during simulated car driving. Ten novices and ten experienced drivers had eyes and head kinematics measured while driving in a driver simulator under conditions of 80-120 Km/h velocity, day light, linear trajectory, and low traffic level. Generally, results showed that number of fixations increased, relative fixation time decreased, horizontal and vertical gaze variance increased, and variance of head position and orientation increased during both speakerphone mode and in hand conditions of mobile phone use, as compared to the control (no talking) condition. Effects of experience group were not observed. In sum, talking on a mobile phone tend to disturb attention due to decrease in eyes and head stability and, consequently, pickup of relevant visual information for safety driving. Areas of study as ergonomic design can effectively help in the planning of equipment or devices that meet the cognitive, perceptual and motor drivers’ demands, contributing to road safety.