Can Stroboscopic Training Improve Judgments of Time-to-Collision?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether training with stroboscopic viewing could improve time-to-collision (TTC) judgments, which have importance in real-world tasks such as driving. Background: Prior research demonstrated that training with stroboscopic vision can improve motion coherence thresholds, improve anticipatory timing performance for laterally moving objects, and can protect against performance degradation over time. Method: Participants viewed computer simulations of an object that moved and then disappeared. In two separate experiments, the object approached the observer or moved laterally toward a target, representing different optical flow patterns. Participants judged TTC by pressing a button when they thought the object would hit them (approach), or the target (lateral). Performance was measured during four sessions—pretest, intervention, immediately after intervention, and 10 min after intervention. Results: Both stroboscopic training and repeated practice improved performance over time for approach motion (decrease in constant error) and stroboscopic training protected against performance degradation for lateral motion (no decrement in variable error), but only when TTC was 3.0 s. There was no difference between training and repeated practice. Conclusion: Under certain conditions, stroboscopic training may improve TTC judgments. However, effects of stroboscopic training depend on the nature of the optical flow pattern. Application: It is important to determine the conditions under which training can improve TTC judgments which have importance in real-world tasks such as driving. If individuals can be trained to judge TTC more accurately, they may benefit from driver training programs.