Cognitive modelling and computational simulation of drivers mental activities

Abstract

Several car driver models are available in the literature. From an historical point of view, it is possible to identify three main phases, for the last 40 years, in this research area. The works of (1970), centred on task analysis, are typically representative of the studies carried out during the 1970s. The authors proposed a taxonomy of the main driving tasks (e.g. accelerating, steering, overtaking, lane changing) organised in nine categories (e.g. basic control tasks, tasks related to traffic condition). This work closely parallels the research of Allen et al. (1970), who divided the driving task in three levels: the microperformance, the situational performance and the macroperformance. These levels differ both according to their time scale and with regard to the kind of cognitive activity required. At the microperformance level, most of the actions are automated skills. Steering and speed control are the main subtasks. Feedback loops, concerning driving action implemented at this level, are very short (on the order of seconds). The macroperformance concerns the trip planning and the route finding during the trip. It corresponds to slow conscious processes requiring cognitive resources. The time scale can be hours at this level. Between these two levels, situational performance corresponds to the analysis of the road environment and to the selection of relevant behaviour in the current situation and traffic conditions. Performance at this level is determined by the driver's perception and understanding of the driving context. © 2007 Springer-Verlag London.