Quantitative assessment of the factors affecting the time and movement anticipation of young drivers

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55329/aomy5921

Keywords:

age, gender, speed perception, time and movement anticipation, Vienna Test System (VTS), Southern Asia, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)

Abstract

Road user safety is an important concern in developing countries like India, which ranks fourth globally in road crashes and first in road fatalities. This paper examines the impact of human factors on highway safety, focusing on the role of cognitive processes involved in driving actions. The study examines the relationship between decision errors, particularly time and movement anticipation, along with the help of demographic factors such as gender, age, driving experience, possession of a license, vision and mobile phone use among young drivers in India. Data were collected using the Vienna Test System (VTS) and a questionnaire. The VTS measured cognitive and psychomotor abilities related to time and movement anticipation, while the questionnaire gathered information on social and driving-related factors. Results showed that decision errors about speed perception are influenced by gender, age, and driving experience. The results showed that females underestimate speed more than males do for all combined data and for all three speeds. However, females aged 18-20 tended to overestimate speed more than males in both the slow and fast cases. Further, it is observed that for the same experience level, overestimation increases from slow to fast motion. Novice drivers (drivers without a license) have maximum errors for slow motion. Vision correction (spectacles) did not significantly affect error rates. The use of mobile phones while driving was associated with increased error rates, indicating a reduction in cognitive attention required for driving tasks. These findings have implications for driver training programs, suggesting a need for tailored approaches based on demographic characteristics and driving habits.

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Author Biographies

  • Hrishikesh Deshpande, COEP Technological University

    Hrishikesh Deshpande completed his Masters in Transportation Engineering from COEP Technological University with strong academic credentials and hands-on experience in highway design. He is currently working as an Engineer at Monarch Surveyors and Engineering Consultants and involved in geometric design, DPR preparation, road safety audits, and tender documentation for highway projects under BOT and EPC modes. His academic and research work focuses on transportation safety and human driving behavior. He has presented his research at multiple international and national conferences, gaining exposure to research methodologies, data analysis, and professional technical discussions.

    CRediT contribution: Data curation, Software, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

  • Chintaman Bari, Central Road Research Institute, Mahindra University, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research

    Chintaman Bari is currently working as Scientist C at CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi. In addition, he is a faculty member at the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). Before that, he worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering of Mahindra University, Hyderabad. He has completed his Ph. D. in Civil Engineering from Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat. Dr. Bari completed his master’s degree from G. H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur and B. E. in Civil Engineering from Matoshri College of Engineering & Research Centre, Nashik. His current research focuses on human factors and tolling operations.

    CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Software, Supervision, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

  • Ashish Dhamaniya, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology Surat

    Ashish Dhamaniya is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, India. He has completed his doctorate degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India. He has completed his M. Tech in Transportation Engineering from MNIT, Jaipur, and B.E. in Civil Engineering from M.B.M. Engineering College, Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur. His research area focuses on traffic operations at toll plazas, capacity, level of service, safety, etc.

    CRediT contribution: Resources, Supervision, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

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Published

2026-10-23

Issue

Section

Research article

How to Cite

Deshpande, H., Bari, C., & Dhamaniya, A. (2026). Quantitative assessment of the factors affecting the time and movement anticipation of young drivers. Traffic Safety Research, 10, e000155. https://doi.org/10.55329/aomy5921