Analyzing the Effects of Driving Experience on Backing Maneuvers Based on Data Collected by Eye-Tracking Devices

For individuals who have just obtained their driver's license, their lack of experience may lead to situations where they need to repeatedly reverse their vehicle. During the process of reversing, they may struggle with knowing how to effectively use their mirrors. In contrast, experienced drivers are often more skilled at reversing. Therefore, understanding the effects of driving experience on backing maneuvers is crucial for improving driver safety and developing effective training programs. Eye movements play a crucial role in driving by helping drivers capture accurate visual information about their surroundings, enabling them to perform precise driving maneuvers. This study aims to analyze the impact of driving experience on backing maneuvers by utilizing data collected from eye-tracking devices. A comparative analysis is conducted between novice and experienced drivers to investigate differences in gaze patterns and fixation positions during backing maneuvers. Real-time gaze data is collected using eye-tracking devices during backing maneuvers. The findings reveal distinct disparities in gaze behavior and fixation positions between novice and experienced drivers. Novice drivers have cluttered vision and tend to focus more on the right door mirror and switch their eyes back and forth between the two areas of interest. The findings also suggest that experienced drivers are more likely to spend less time looking at the rearview mirror and keep their eyes straight ahead of their heads rather than use their peripheral vision. The results of this study can serve as guidelines for future self-driving and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) development and provide useful insights for the identification and training of new drivers.