Field experiments on the distribution of visual attention of drivers on mountain curve roads

A driver receives most of environmental information through his vision. The distribution of drivers’ visual attention in different driving environment has an important effect on driving workload and traffic safety. The study on the distribution of drivers’ visual attention may result in a more realistic, objective and reliable assessment of traffic safety. Based on various curve radii in mountain expressway, real vehicle experiments are carried out in this study and the fixation duration percentage, fixation number percentage, average fixation duration in the X and Y visual angles are recorded and analysed. The results show that smaller curve radius result in larger mental workload of drivers and more visual attention to the interior side of the expressway when turning. The mental workload is more significant when turning left than right. With the increase of curve radius, the range of visual angle becomes bigger.