This chapter discusses Forward Collision Warning Systems (FCWSs), describing the characteristics and the functions of some of the systems currently on the market and presents an overview of behavioural studies evaluating the effectiveness of these systems on road and in simulators. Results are also presented from recent studies using electroencephalography and the associated event related potentials (ERPs) allowing, through the analysis of brain activity, a more in-depth understanding of the nature of the cognitive processes in the context of FCWSs. These studies address three important questions: 1. Are FCWSs as effective as they are expected to be when drivers are distracted? 2. What are the consequences of driving with a system that is not completely reliable? 3. Is there any behavioural adaptation to the FCWSs over their use in time? Are the consequences of this adaptation positive or negative? The chapter shows that FCWSs provide potential benefits for road safety, but certain factors such as the attentional state of drivers and the reliability level of the system can mitigate its effectiveness.

Chapter Contents:

• Abstract
• 12.1 Introduction
• 12.2 The utility of FCWSs
• 12.3 A new approach for evaluating the effectiveness of FCWSs
• 12.4 Are FCWSs effective for distracted drivers?
• 12.5 Does the reliability of the system affect its effectiveness?
• 12.6 Behavioural adaptation to the system
• 12.7 Conclusions
• Acknowledgement
• References

Inspec keywords: road safety; driver information systems; electroencephalography

Other keywords: cognitive processes; electroencephalography; road safety; associated event related potentials; FCWSs; behavioural measurement; ERPs; behavioural adaptation; forward collision warning systems; electrophysiological measurement; cognitive analysis; reliability level; brain activity

Subjects: Traffic engineering computing