Evaluating the effects of brake light flicker frequency on cognitive conspicuity during visual dark adaptation: A 360-degree simulated driving study

IF 3.5 2区工程技术 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, APPLIED

Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour Pub Date : 2025-02-25 DOI:10.1016/j.trf.2025.02.016

Zhendong Wu , Wenxiang Duan , Guocui Liu , Xiaoqun Ai

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Upon entering tunnel entrance and transition zones, drivers experience the “black hole effect” which necessitates visual adaptation due to reduced illumination. This phenomenon increases the risk of rear-end collisions. While the brake lights are crucial for traffic safety, strategies to enhance visibility under dark adaptation conditions require further investigation. Existing research has primarily focused on the general properties and effects of the brake lights. However, conclusive results regarding the optimal flicker frequency for the brake lights remain elusive.

This study evaluates the impact of the flicker brake lights on vehicle conspicuity across various tunnel zones using two simulated driving experiments in 360° video-based Virtual Reality: a search conspicuity experiment (N = 30) assessing drivers’ reaction times to the brake lights, and an attention conspicuity experiment (N = 34). Analysis of eye-tracking data and braking response time reveals that flicker brake lights significantly improve vehicle conspicuity compared to constant lights across tunnel. In the entrance zone, no significant differences in braking time, time to first fixation (TTF), fixation durations, or fixation counts were observed between higher frequency (10 Hz) and lower frequency (4 Hz) flicker brake lights. In the transition zone, however, higher frequency flicker lights resulted in shorter reaction times, shorter TTF, longer fixation durations, and increased fixation counts in comparison to lower frequency flicker lights and constant lights, indicating enhanced search and attention conspicuity.

These results provide evidence-based insights for designing brake light flicker frequencies to enhance drive safety during tunnel driving.

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来源期刊

Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour Multiple-

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

14.60%

发文量

239

审稿时长

71 days

期刊介绍： Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour focuses on the behavioural and psychological aspects of traffic and transport. The aim of the journal is to enhance theory development, improve the quality of empirical studies and to stimulate the application of research findings in practice. TRF provides a focus and a means of communication for the considerable amount of research activities that are now being carried out in this field. The journal provides a forum for transportation researchers, psychologists, ergonomists, engineers and policy-makers with an interest in traffic and transport psychology.