Driver Responses to Augmented Reality Warnings and Alternatives at Urban Signalized Intersections

Abstract

This study examined an augmented reality warning system that highlighted threats with a yellow arrow pointing towards the potential threat and a red bar below it. Sixteen drivers drove a fixed base driving simulator in a world with 61 intersections, 10 of which contained threats. Threats could appear from any direction, and go straight or turn. Each subject completed 3 test blocks of those intersections in a different random order – no warning, a warning tone, or a warning tone accompanied by the augmented reality warning. Warnings led to significantly fewer crashes (14 for augmented reality, 24 for warning tone, 30 for no warning). When compared to no warnings, augmented reality warnings also led to shorter response times (23%/35% less, depending upon how RT was measured), greater maximum brake pressures (42%) and greater maximum decelerations (18%). These results indicate that augmented reality warnings can be beneficial to drivers.