DRIVER SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND TRAFFIC SAFETY. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This report provides an overview of possible approaches, when considering driver support and traffic safety. The assessment of driver support systems should address potential problems in relation to the environment, the driver, and the driving task. Assessment procedures should focus on potential errors in relation to each of these components. The report summarizes different theories of task performance and human error. The report recommends areas for research. For instance, it is recommended that research to assess the impact of driver support systems on traffic safety should encompass: (1) the effects of driver support on the amount and quality of the information that motorists obtain while driving; (2) the effects of timing and modality of additional information or support; (3) the influence of driver's skills, motives, abilities, and knowledge; (4) the effects of driver support on specific aspects of task performance and the occurrence of particular error types; and (5) behavioural adaptations or other side effects of using the support system. However, the selected evaluation strategy will also be influenced by other factors, that is to say the type of support system under investigation, the context of evaluation.