Eye Glance Behavior of Van and Passenger Car Drivers During Lane Change Decision Phase

Data are presented on the eye glance behavior of passenger car and van drivers before the start of discretionary lane changes. Thirty-nine volunteers ranging from 20 to 60 years of age served as either van drivers (N = 19) or passenger car drivers (N = 20) in the study. Each driver used an instrumented vehicle and was accompanied by a ride-along observer in daylight and dry pavement conditions. The test route included driving on both public highways at 55 mph or more and city roads at 25 to 35 mph. A total of 549 lane changes (290 for vans, 259 for passenger cars) were analyzed in terms of driver eye glance behavior 10 s before the lane change start. Results indicated that for left-to-right lane changes, the probability of a glance to the center mirror was substantially higher than the probability of a glance to the right side mirror. For right-to-left lane changes, the probability of a glance to the center mirror was substantially less than that for rightward lane changes, and the probability of a glance to the left side mirror was appreciably higher than that for right side mirror use in rightward lane changes. These results held for both van and passenger car drivers. Except for a slightly higher probability of over-the-shoulder glances on city roads, these results hold for both highway and city street driving. These data should be factored into the design of lane change warning system displays and mirror systems.