Aleck Ian Glendon

Dimensions of driver stress

A new scale, the Driving Behaviour Inventory (DBI) was developed to study dimensions of driver stress. The DBI was administered to two independent samples of drivers who commuted daily to work and/or for whom driving was part of their job. In both studies driver stress was defined by five factors which accounted for over 40% of the variance. These were identified as: driving aggression, dislike of driving, tension and frustration connected with successful or unsuccessful overtaking, irritation when overtaken and heightened alertness and concentration. Multiple regression analyses pointed toward variables extraneous to driving as predictors of driver stress, among which life stresses appear to play a predominant role.

Driver stress and performance on a driving simulator

Effects of stress on driving performance can depend on the nature of drivers stress reactions and on the traffic environment. In an experimental study, we assessed multiple dimensions of vulnerability to driver stress by a questionnaire that was validated in previous field studies and related those dimensions to performance on a driving simulator. Results were broadly consistent with prediction. A dimension of habitual dislike of driving was associated with reduced control skills, greater caution, and disturbance of moods. A measure of aggressive driving predicted more frequent and more error-prone overtaking, which are effects attributed to the use of confrontive coping strategies in interaction with other vehicles. An alertness measure predicted speed of reaction to pedestrian hazards. This research has practical applications for system design, automated monitoring of driver performance, selection and assessment of drivers, and training.

Age and cognitive ability as predictors of computerized information retrieval

Abstract This paper presents an empirical investigation of age and cognitive ability as predictors of computerized information retrieval. Upon the basis of age-related changes in cognitive ability, hypotheses were generated relating to the effects of database structure (linear, hierarchical, or network) and node selection method (explicit or embedded menu). In keeping with previous research in other areas of human-computer interaction, there was a significant main effect of age, with older subjects performing more slowly. However, interactive effects of ‘question block’ indicated that older subjects were at a particular disadvantage in the early stages of task performance. Age differences in processing speed and/or psychomotor skill appeared to be a particularly important factor. Whilst the effects of cognitive ability were generally weak, spatial memory and logical reasoning scores were negatively correlated with information retrieval response times. Although interactions were not significant, trends in ...

The stress of driving: A diary study

Abstract A study of daily behaviours and feelings while driving was carried out with a sample of drivers to ascertain driving stress levels and changes in these as a function of time of day and day of the week. The analysis of responses to a specially designed diary/checklist showed that drivers experience more stress in the evening than in the morning, and in mid-week than either at the beginning or end of the week. Daily driving stress varies with age and experience as well as with health condition and sleep quality. It is also related to driving conditions and depends upon peoples overall perception of driving as a stressful activity.

A review of risk homeostasis theory in simulated environments

Abstract This paper considers the role of simulation in investigating risk homeostasis phenomena. Benefits and limitations of simulation are considered before reviewing how simulation can improve understanding of risk homeostasis theory (RHT). A principal tool used for examining RHT— the Aston Driving Simulator (ADS) — is described. A series of five experiments, three using the ADS, are outlined and the main findings discussed. Through operationalising utility, examining psychological correlates of RHT and analysing behavioural pathways which might carry homeostatic effects, the experiments serve to advance understanding of these aspects of RHT, as well as finding evidence in support of some central claims of RHT. It is concluded that, while there are limits to which RHT phenomena can be studied through simulation, benefits include the possibility of assessing behavioural pathways within the environment which might carry homeostasis and utility effects.

Risk homeostasis: issues for future research

Abstract Risk homeostasis theory (RHT) is considered in the context of four methodological and conceptual issues. The first question to be considered is whether the theory, in the terms in which it has been proposed, can be falsified. It is suggested that advances in understanding RHT could be made by clearly identifying what findings would constitute a falsification of it, since at present this is problematic. The second issue is whether psychologically invisible interventions might preclude a homeostatic effect. It is suggested that, conceptually at least, psychological invisibility need not preclude homeostasis. Third, is debated the issue of bi-directionality — whether a homeostatic effect can be observed when there has been a reduction in safety as well as when there has been a safety improvement. It is argued that whilst no finding would appear to be in clear violation of RHTs being bi-directional, this is due in part to the global terms in which RHT has been postulated. Finally, it is argued that simulation exercises which mimic physical risk and utility might usefully be employed as a methodology to examine psychological factors associated with RHT.

Models for problem-solving in health and safety

Abstract Bensiali, A.K., Booth, R.T. and Glendon, A.I., 1992. Models for problem-solving in health and safety. Safety Science, 15: 183–205. An essential phase in the development of expert systems is to identify knowledge and expertise within a domain and to find out how this is used by experts to solve problems. Health and safety is a multidisciplinary domain in which experts with skills across a range of disciplines are rare and for whom development of expert systems would be worthwhile. This paper highlights how experts solve certain types of health and safety problems and describes some of the tools that are used. Models are developed as the basis for an explanation of health and safety problem-solving processes.