Field Demonstration of Heavy Vehicle Camera/Video Imaging Systems

To help drivers monitor the road and to reduce blind spots, Camera/Video Imaging Systems (C/VISs) display live video from cameras mounted on the truck's exterior to drivers using displays inside the truck cabin. This study investigated drivers' performance with C/VISs in a real-world trucking operation. Twelve commercial drivers' performance with and without a C/VIS was continuously recorded while they each drove for four months. Half of the drivers used a commercially available C/VIS that had a side-view camera on each fender. The other drivers used an advanced C/VIS (A-C/VIS) that had side-view cameras, a rear-view camera, and night-vision capabilities. This paper presents the study's final results and expands on the preliminary results that were previously reported. Detailed analyses of drivers' involvement in Safety-Critical Events (SCEs), their lane change performance, and their opinions of the C/VISs are presented. Overall, it was found that when a C/VIS was provided: 1) drivers' involvement in safety-critical events (SCEs) did not change, 2) the probability that drivers looked forward did not change, 3) the clearance to an adjacent vehicle when changing lanes did not change, 4) drivers were more likely to use the C/VIS at night and when making right lane changes, and 5) drivers indicated that the C/VISs helped them become aware of surrounding objects and merge into traffic. In terms of disbenefits, some drivers indicated that glare from the commercially available C/VIS monitors, as positioned to specifications, could be uncomfortable at night. The A-C/VIS's advanced features were highly rated by drivers. The rear-view camera was also used more than the left or right fender cameras. In summary, it was found that C/VISs are able to assist CMV drivers in their daily driving task without deteriorating their driving performance.