Abstract
Distraction due to thinking or reduction in arousal level make a driver difficult to notice the surrounding hazard. Therefore, it is important to notify the surrounding hazard so that the driver can recognize it so quickly. However, it has not been considered the appropriate way to notify the hazard. This study proposes warning sound localization, which allows the driver to recognize the direction of the hazard intuitively. Its superiority is revealed by following experiments: 1) While a driver performs driving task, reaction time and distraction rate were measured until the driver recognizes the hazard. It was found that localized warning sound could shorten the reaction time, and could keep concentration of the driving task. 2) Driver’s brain activity was measured by NIRS (Near-infrared spectroscopy) while the driver is notified the hazard by blinking LED or by localized warning sound. It was found that the localized warning sound could reduce the brain load than blinking LED. Thus, localized warning sound allows the driver to recognize the hazard quickly with little brain load.
