01371376

Component

Steering entropy was developed as a measure to quantify the increase in workload induced by secondary tasks based on a driver’s steering input while completing the secondary task. Though it has been shown to be highly sensitive to secondary task workload, it has not been used extensively in the distracted driving literature published since its initial publication. Though the reasons for this sparse use are not fully known, the complexity of the procedure for calculating the measure and the lack of available software tools are likely factors. In addition, though the calculation of the measure is described in the original steering entropy publication, and a modification presented later, relatively little guidance exists for properly applying the metric and interpreting its results. This paper examines steering entropy as a metric for driving performance research, investigates the outcomes of research that has utilized the metric to this point, catalogues the effects of violating its assumptions, and presents a framework for appropriate application and further research using the measure. Though it is clear from examining existing literature that steering entropy is promising as an indicator of driving performance, it is also clear that guidelines for appropriate application and interpretation of the measure are needed and currently lacking.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AND30 Simulation and Measurement of Vehicle and Operator Performance

01362476

12-0904

English

21p

2012

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Behavior; Distraction; Driving; Entropy (Communications); Steering

Driver workload

Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-0904

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2012 4:58PM