Analysis of Driver Reaction during Braking and Avoidance Maneuver

Abstract

One of the parts of the accident analysis is also the objective assessment of the responsibility of accident participants related to their behavior and objective ability to avert the imminent critical situation. During a critical situation, the driver can respond by avoidance maneuver, critical braking or a combination of both. However, most of the research studies have been focused on the analysis of the driveŕs brake-reaction time. The aim of this paper is to analyze the driveŕs reaction time in detail during the avoidance maneuver and critical braking. For the purpose of this study, the electromyography has been used. The combination allows detailed and accurate determination of the onset of the muscle activation during the reaction. For the elimination of the result distortion, the measurements were carried out in a real vehicle on a predetermined route and also in simulated condition. Participants responded to the various types of the critical incidents, mostly sudden braking of the leading vehicle. The obtained results demonstrate differences in the time necessary for the activation of the lower and the upper limb during a critical situation.