Abstract

The purposes of the present study were to explore behavioral patterns of the drivers in front-to-tear-end collision situation(Experiment I), and to determine the relative effectiveness of two types of front-to-rear-end collision warning systems(collision warnings were presented through the systems configured continuous Visual + Voice Warnings or "On-Off" style Visual + Voice Warnings) based on drivers' driving performances(i.e., collision avoidance behavior, Experiment II). Driving simulation was employed to simulate front-to-rear-end collision situation and to measure the drivers' performance. The results of the two experiments can be summarized as followings. First, in front-to-rear-end collision situation, initiation of collision avoidance response(for example, releasing the accelerator) found to be more important than execution of maximum effort to avoid the collision. Second, any type of collision warning systems appeared to be more helpful than control condition to avoid collision. Third, the Continuous Visual + Voice Warning system induced better collision avoidance behavior than "On-Off" style Visual + Voice Warning system. Finally, implications of the study was discussed.