Assessment of safety orientation in driving skills aligned with performance: a data-triangulation approach

Arichandran Ramachandran; Mithun Mohan; M. Sreekumar

doi:10.55329/tbpe4602

Authors

Arichandran R. National Institute of Technology Karnataka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8166-2393
Mithun Mohan National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3076-0663
M. Sreekumar National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9699-9440

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55329/tbpe4602

Keywords:

data-triangulation, road safety, safety orientation, subjective driving skills

Abstract

Accurate assessment of Subjective Driving Skills (SDS) is crucial for improving road safety, as direct methods are often biased and do not align well with actual driving performance. This study aimed to develop an unbiased SDS assessment method aligned with driving performance. The specific objectives are (1) reducing bias in SDS assessments, (2) verifying alignment between assessed safety orientation and ground driving performance, and (3) exploring the influence of socio-demographic factors on safety orientation. A combined questionnaire and photographic speed survey were conducted among 389 experienced car drivers in Mangalore, India. Factor analysis, a Double Lane Change (DLC) test conducted on the ground with a test vehicle equipped with Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were performed. Factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure: Perceptual-Motor (PM) and safety skills. Further, PM and safety skills scores were calculated using factor loadings, and safety orientation was determined from their difference. DLC results showed that the assessed safety orientation aligned with the ground performance. Correlation and regression analyses showed that male drivers perceived slightly higher PM skills than female drivers. PM skills decreased with age, while safety orientation increased. Academic education had no significant effect on safety skills or safety orientation. While on-road exposure improved PM skills, weekly driving distance reduced safety orientation. Formally trained drivers had slightly higher safety skills and safety orientation than lay-instructed drivers. These findings provide several valuable insights for enhancing road safety. They suggest that safety programs address overconfidence in male drivers, incorporate road safety awareness into educational curriculums, and offer enhanced training for all experienced drivers. Younger drivers may benefit from targeted safety campaigns, while professional drivers could require specialised safety programs. Regular safety assessments and refresher courses are crucial for maintaining safety awareness, particularly for drivers with higher weekly driving distances.

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Author Biographies

Arichandran R., National Institute of Technology Karnataka

Arichandran R. is pursuing his PhD in Civil Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India. He holds a Master's in Transportation Engineering and Management from the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, India. His research interests include the application of artificial intelligence to improve road safety.

CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Software, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing.

Mithun Mohan, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India

Mithun Mohan is an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India. He holds a PhD and M.Tech. from IIT Roorkee, India. His research focuses on traffic flow modelling, intersection operations, and driver behaviour analysis. He has published widely in prominent transportation journals.

CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Writing—review & editing.

M. Sreekumar, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India

M. Sreekumar is an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India. He holds a PhD from IIT Bombay and M.Tech. from IIT Guwahati, India. His research focuses on traffic flow modelling, transportation systems analysis, and traffic management. He has published extensively in leading transportation journals.

CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Writing—review & editing.

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