Driver Factors, Simulators and Other Instrumented Measurement Approaches

Several studies have shown that driver errors predominate as contributing factors in highway accidents, with environmental and vehicular factors trailing a distant second and third, respectively. Yet no one would deny that highway crashes typically involve combinations of these factors interacting in frequently unknown ways. This review is focused on driver factors and the use of observational studies involving simulators and other instrumented measurement approaches to develop a better understanding of the events which lead to crashes and the contributions of each type of factor. A review is performed of key studies from the highway, driver safety and human factors research literature to identify the driver factors that are major contributors to highway accidents, and whose influence should be considered in the performance of future observational research studies. Past use of simulators and instrumented vehicles is discussed and the potential for applying this technology in the crash avoidance area is assessed.