A gaze-based driver distraction countermeasure: Comparing effects of multimodal alerts on driver's behavior and visual attention

Abstract

This study, introduces and evaluates different countermeasures using real-time eye-tracking data. The countermeasures detect when driver gaze deviates from the road for longer than a predetermined threshold and then redirect the driver's attention back to the road. The countermeasures include bimodal and trimodal alerts using combinations of auditory, tactile, and visual modalities. These countermeasures showcase the utility of adopting eye-tracking technologies in the context of driver monitoring and advanced driver's assistance systems. They enhance safety as a safeguard for the increased use of devices such as in-vehicle infotainment systems. Results show that countermeasures effectively redirect drivers’ attention to the road, with higher on-road gaze time. Additionally, bimodal alerts that include the visual modality are less effective at redirecting participants’ gaze on-road and result in poorer driving performance.