Beware the
Tunnel Effect
Connectivity can help safety,
fuel savings, and traffic
Drivers speaking on the phone while
driving are prone to a 'tunnel vision'
which could mean they miss potential
dangers, according to Dr Natasha
Merat of the Institute for Transport
Studies at Leeds University.
In her presentation to the Forum she
illustrated how there is a 'massive'
drop in peripheral vision when a driver
is concentrating on a conversation on
a hands-free phone.
The study was carried out by
measuring the eye movements of
drivers in real traffic situations at a
particular junction, with and without
the distraction of talking on the
phone.
Dr Merat said there were differences
between visual distractions where a
driver looks away from the road and
'minds off the road' distractions even
while watching the road ahead.
"Although you are watching where
you are going, you may not see the
car preparing to enter the road in front
of you, or a pedestrian preparing to
cross."
Although most car connectivity systems are currently all about offering convenience
in phone and entertainment capability, increasingly they will play much more serious
roles in safety, traffic optimisation, and fuel savings, according to Dr Pim van der
Jagt.
"Studies have shown that in a future where all cars are able to 'talk' to each
other, informing them of position, speed and direction, then they can all take action
together. We believe that up to 70 percent of all accidents could be addressed by
these technologies. If not completely avoided, the severity of the crashes can be
reduced."
Dr van der Jagt suggested a future where cars could automatically warn those
following of slippery patches encountered, traffic jams beginning, and electronic
transmission of braking from vehicles two or three cars ahead. This allows the
driver further back to take earlier action.
"There are infinite possibilities to do with connectivity. In a future when there are
enough cars enabled with these systems, there is even the possibility that we can
actively by remote take control of a car in a dangerous situation."
Other aspects include the ability of transport infrastructure such as traffic lights
being able to communicate with vehicles in the traffic stream so their speed can be
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