Comparative Study of Attention among Drivers with Varying Driving Experience

Bikram Adhikari, Zoran Duric, Duminda Wijesekera, Bo Yu

Abstract: Advancements in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) enhance driver safety, comfort, and traffic flow. However, because human drivers remain integral to operating human-driven vehicles, their perception and attention are of significant importance in real-world traffic conditions. Previous studies have highlighted the increased accident susceptibility of novice drivers, but there has been limited research on how experience and perception affect each other. This study analyzes driver behavior in real-world traffic conditions based on driver experience, time of day, traffic congestion, and route familiarity. Our findings indicate that novice drivers exhibit lower spatial awareness, while intermediate drivers demonstrate improved awareness in moderate traffic. Conversely, experienced drivers consistently perform well across all conditions. Familiarity with routes enhances performance for all drivers, with experienced drivers adapting more quickly in unfamiliar situations. The study also contributes to existing data by providing continuous driver fixations in various driving scenarios and gaze-enhanced saliency maps, gaze-focused object detection, and saliency ranking to advance driver perception and autonomous vehicles.