Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1674-1688 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Human Factors |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Early online date | 2022 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2023 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Objective: This study used the looking-at-nothing phenomenon to explore situation awareness (SA) and the effects of working memory (WM) load in driving situations. Background: While driving, people develop a mental representation of the environment. Since errors in retrieving information from this representation can have fatal consequences, it is essential for road safety to investigate this process. During retrieval, people tend to fixate spatial positions of visually encoded information, even if it is no longer available at that location. Previous research has shown that this “looking-at-nothing” behavior can be used to trace retrieval processes. Method: In a video-based laboratory experiment with 2 (WM) x 3 (SA level) within-subjects design, participants (N = 33) viewed a reduced screen and evaluated auditory statements relating to different SA levels on previously seen dynamic traffic scenarios while eye movements were recorded. Results: When retrieving information, subjects more frequently fixated emptied spatial locations associated with the information relevant for the probed SA level. The retrieval of anticipations (SA level 3) in contrast to the other SA level information resulted in more frequent gaze transitions that corresponded to the spatial dynamics of future driving behavior. Conclusion: The results support the idea that people build a visual-spatial mental image of a driving situation. Different gaze patterns when retrieving level-specific information indicate divergent retrieval processes. Application: Potential applications include developing new methodologies to assess the mental representation and SA of drivers objectively.
Keywords
- Knowledge representation, experimental design, eye movements, information processing, mental models, situation awareness, working memory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Human Factors and Ergonomics
- Psychology(all)
- Applied Psychology
- Neuroscience(all)
- Behavioral Neuroscience
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In: Human Factors, Vol. 65, No. 8, 12.2023, p. 1674-1688.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Advancing Knowledge on Situation Comprehension in Dynamic Traffic Situations by Studying Eye Movements to Empty Spatial Locations
AU - Frank, Wiebke
AU - Mühl, Kristin
AU - Rosner, Agnes
AU - Baumann, Martin
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Objective: This study used the looking-at-nothing phenomenon to explore situation awareness (SA) and the effects of working memory (WM) load in driving situations. Background: While driving, people develop a mental representation of the environment. Since errors in retrieving information from this representation can have fatal consequences, it is essential for road safety to investigate this process. During retrieval, people tend to fixate spatial positions of visually encoded information, even if it is no longer available at that location. Previous research has shown that this “looking-at-nothing” behavior can be used to trace retrieval processes. Method: In a video-based laboratory experiment with 2 (WM) x 3 (SA level) within-subjects design, participants (N = 33) viewed a reduced screen and evaluated auditory statements relating to different SA levels on previously seen dynamic traffic scenarios while eye movements were recorded. Results: When retrieving information, subjects more frequently fixated emptied spatial locations associated with the information relevant for the probed SA level. The retrieval of anticipations (SA level 3) in contrast to the other SA level information resulted in more frequent gaze transitions that corresponded to the spatial dynamics of future driving behavior. Conclusion: The results support the idea that people build a visual-spatial mental image of a driving situation. Different gaze patterns when retrieving level-specific information indicate divergent retrieval processes. Application: Potential applications include developing new methodologies to assess the mental representation and SA of drivers objectively.
AB - Objective: This study used the looking-at-nothing phenomenon to explore situation awareness (SA) and the effects of working memory (WM) load in driving situations. Background: While driving, people develop a mental representation of the environment. Since errors in retrieving information from this representation can have fatal consequences, it is essential for road safety to investigate this process. During retrieval, people tend to fixate spatial positions of visually encoded information, even if it is no longer available at that location. Previous research has shown that this “looking-at-nothing” behavior can be used to trace retrieval processes. Method: In a video-based laboratory experiment with 2 (WM) x 3 (SA level) within-subjects design, participants (N = 33) viewed a reduced screen and evaluated auditory statements relating to different SA levels on previously seen dynamic traffic scenarios while eye movements were recorded. Results: When retrieving information, subjects more frequently fixated emptied spatial locations associated with the information relevant for the probed SA level. The retrieval of anticipations (SA level 3) in contrast to the other SA level information resulted in more frequent gaze transitions that corresponded to the spatial dynamics of future driving behavior. Conclusion: The results support the idea that people build a visual-spatial mental image of a driving situation. Different gaze patterns when retrieving level-specific information indicate divergent retrieval processes. Application: Potential applications include developing new methodologies to assess the mental representation and SA of drivers objectively.
KW - Knowledge representation
KW - experimental design
KW - eye movements
KW - information processing
KW - mental models
KW - situation awareness
KW - working memory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85122910130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211063693
DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211063693
M3 - Article
VL - 65
SP - 1674
EP - 1688
JO - Human Factors
JF - Human Factors
SN - 0018-7208
IS - 8
ER -