Highlights The study examined driver’s broader peripheral vision (≤70°) in highway driving using Tesla Autopilot. A generalized Bayesian regression model was trained to predict the detection probability of eccentric LEDs as surrogate of peripheral vision. Driver’s near-peripheral vision was good and stable (within 20°-30°) but their useful field was narrower in highway driving. Reduced speed, cognitive load, and older age degraded mid-peripheral vison (20°–50°), while Autopilot had little effect.

    Abstract Objective The study aims to model driver perception across the visual field in dynamic, real-world highway driving. Background Peripheral vision acquires information across the visual field and guides a driver’s information search. Studies in naturalistic settings are lacking however, with most research having been conducted in controlled simulation environments with limited eccentricities and driving dynamics. Methods We analyzed data from 24 participants who drove a Tesla Model S with Autopilot on the highway. While driving, participants completed the peripheral detection task (PDT) using LEDs and the N-back task to generate cognitive load. The I-DT (identification by dispersion threshold) algorithm sampled naturalistic gaze fixations during PDTs to cover a broader and continuous spectrum of eccentricity. A generalized Bayesian regression model predicted LED detection probability during the PDT—as a surrogate for peripheral vision—in relation to eccentricity, vehicle speed, driving mode, cognitive load, and age. Results The model predicted that LED detection probability was high and stable through near-peripheral vision but it declined rapidly beyond 20°-30° eccentricity, showing a narrower useful field over a broader visual field (maximum 70°) during highway driving. Reduced speed (while following another vehicle), cognitive load, and older age were the main factors that degraded the mid-peripheral vision (20°-50°), while using Autopilot had little effect. Conclusions Drivers can reliably detect objects through near-peripheral vision, but their peripheral detection degrades gradually due to further eccentricity, foveal demand during low-speed vehicle following, cognitive load, and age. Applications The findings encourage the development of further multivariate computational models to estimate peripheral vision and assess driver situation awareness for crash prevention.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Beyond gaze fixation: Modeling peripheral vision in relation to speed, Tesla Autopilot, cognitive load, and age in highway driving


    Contributors:
    Yang, Shiyan (author) / Wilson, Kyle (author) / Roady, Trey (author) / Kuo, Jonny (author) / Lenné, Michael G. (author)


    Publication date :

    2022-04-08




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    Demo: Attacking Tesla Model X’s Autopilot Using Compromised Advertisement

    Nassi, Ben / Mirsky, Yisroel / Nassi, Dudi et al. | TIBKAT | 2021


    A model for naturalistic glance behavior around Tesla Autopilot disengagements

    Morando, Alberto / Gershon, Pnina / Mehler, Bruce et al. | Elsevier | 2021


    Driver Behavior While Operating Partially Automated Systems: Tesla Autopilot Case Study

    Osafo-Yeboah, Benjamin / Rockwell, Chris / Shutko, John et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 2018


    Driver Behavior While Operating Partially Automated Systems: Tesla Autopilot Case Study

    Shutko, John / Osafo-Yeboah, Benjamin / Rockwell, Chris et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2018