Analysis of Drivers’ Eye-Movement Characteristics When Driving around Curves

Abstract

To investigate drivers’ visual strategies and the distribution of fixation points, much work had been done and salient conclusions had been drawn. However, there is still no consensus on what the gaze target is and what functional significance the point might have. To improve theories on this subject, research was done to investigate drivers’ visual characteristics. On-road experiment was carried out, and drivers’ eye-movement and vehicle driving parameters were registered when driving around left- and right-hand curves. The results showed that drivers’ gaze direction fluctuates around the reference axis, and the fixation points are distributed in the region centered on the horizontal gaze position rather than a particular point that has geographical meanings. With the consideration of the traffic rules in China, we suggest here that there is no particular point on which drivers concentrate. Any point or position that could indicate the bend’s curvature could be the so-called target point. Drivers just want to operate their vehicle so as to pass through bends safely in a comfortable and labor-saving way.