Effect of cellular telephone conversations and other potential interference on reaction time in a braking response Patrick Wesonga Louis Hironem

Research Ideas/Question Confirm that the use of cellular telephones generates capacity (attention) interference, Confirm that the use of cellular telephones generates capacity (attention) interference, Hypothesis that there is no safety advantage to using hands-free cell phones Hypothesis that there is no safety advantage to using hands-free cell phones see how interference generated by cellular phone use compares to other tasks (listening to radio, etc) see how interference generated by cellular phone use compares to other tasks (listening to radio, etc)

Background Support 13 published studies that the author uses as a basis for his hypothesis 13 published studies that the author uses as a basis for his hypothesis Most of these reports contend that phone use is a contributing factor to many accidents Most of these reports contend that phone use is a contributing factor to many accidents Many solely focused on physical operation of a phone and not the conversation itself Many solely focused on physical operation of a phone and not the conversation itself Introduces concepts of capacity interference as well as structural interference Introduces concepts of capacity interference as well as structural interference

Theoretical Basis for Analyzing Question/Hypothesis The use of phone generates capacity inference; interference due to limitations in some central capacity (attention) The use of phone generates capacity inference; interference due to limitations in some central capacity (attention)

Applicability/Practical Contributions Gives lawmakers more pertinent information to craft legislation Gives lawmakers more pertinent information to craft legislation Prevent accidents by providing knowledge about the negative effects of capacity interference on braking response Prevent accidents by providing knowledge about the negative effects of capacity interference on braking response

Theoretical Contribution Support findings that phone use causes poorer reaction time Support findings that phone use causes poorer reaction time Support the findings that reaction time in braking slowed by paced conversations Support the findings that reaction time in braking slowed by paced conversations Provide evidence that using hands-free and hand-held phones caused significant, equivalent declines in braking performance Provide evidence that using hands-free and hand-held phones caused significant, equivalent declines in braking performance

Appropriate Methodologies Variable used for this experiment is the reaction time in braking Variable used for this experiment is the reaction time in braking Measured time it takes between the activation of red lamp and the initial movement of the foot from the accelerator Measured time it takes between the activation of red lamp and the initial movement of the foot from the accelerator Statistical analysis is conducted to test the hypotheses Statistical analysis is conducted to test the hypotheses Random 10-20s delay for the activation of the red lamp eliminates the effect of anticipation and reduces the error involved in the experiment Random 10-20s delay for the activation of the red lamp eliminates the effect of anticipation and reduces the error involved in the experiment Conversations embedded into the experiment to simulate real life conversations with a passenger or on a cell phone Conversations embedded into the experiment to simulate real life conversations with a passenger or on a cell phone

Statistical Analyses and Assumptions ANOVA and pair-wise comparisons using Tukey done to compare the differences in means between all the conditions (A-E) ANOVA and pair-wise comparisons using Tukey done to compare the differences in means between all the conditions (A-E) Assume that braking response is an integral part of safe driving Assume that braking response is an integral part of safe driving

Results Listening to music while driving has little effect on the braking response Listening to music while driving has little effect on the braking response Conversations and phone use equally impair the braking response of the driver Conversations and phone use equally impair the braking response of the driver Radio cause minimal to no distraction Radio cause minimal to no distraction

Conclusions Drawn Yes, they are since they are consistent with the findings of previous papers and analysis Yes, they are since they are consistent with the findings of previous papers and analysis It makes sense that deviating from the focus of driving will impair the driver It makes sense that deviating from the focus of driving will impair the driver

Future Work/Research Directions Use a motion simulator as opposed to a stationary one Use a motion simulator as opposed to a stationary one Test other factors besides braking response Test other factors besides braking response The study that distraction due to the use of phones is more than other secondary tasks The study that distraction due to the use of phones is more than other secondary tasks