Predictive Validity of Driver Performance

One promising application of driving simulators is in predicting on-road driver performance. The ability of simulator-based performance to predict on-road performance has important applications in training, assessing cognitive impairment, and evaluating in-vehicle technology. Relatively few studies have systematically assessed the predictive validity of simulators. Perhaps the best assessment of predictive validity is in the area of evaluating the safety consequences of cognitive impairments.

Several key references include:


Cognitive impairments

Gawron, V. J., & Ranney, T. A. (1988). The effects of alcohol dosing on driving performance on a closed course and in a driving simulator. Ergonomics, 31(9), 1219-1244.

Lundqvist, A., Alinder, J., Alm, H., Gerdle, B., Levander, S., & Ronnberg, J. (1997). Neuropsychological aspects of driving after brain lesion: Simulator study and on-road driving. Applied Neuropsychology, 4(4), 220-230.

Training

Blaauw, G. J. (1982). Driving experience and task demands in simulator and instrumented car: A validation study. Human Factors, 24(4), 473-486.

Parkes, A. M. & Reed, N. (2005) Transfer of Fuel Efficient Driving Technique from the Simulator to the Road. Proceedings of HFES Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2005, Turin, Italy.

In-vehicle technology

McGehee?, D. V., Mazzae, E. N., & Baldwin, G. H. S. (2000). Driver reaction time in crash avoidance research: Validation of a driving simulator study on a test track. Proceedings of the 44th Annual Human Factors and Ergonomics Association/14th Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association.

Hoffman, J. D., Brown, T. L., Lee, J. D., & McGehee?, D. V. (2002). Comparisons of braking in a high fidelity simulator to braking on a test track. Transportation Research Record, 1803, 59-65.

Reed, M. P., & Green, P. A. (1999). Comparison of driving performance on-road and in a low-cost simulator using a concurrent telephone dialling task. Ergonomics, 42(8), 1015-1037.