"Black Box" Tests Drivers

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 9

"Black Box" Tests Drivers

United States research workers have developed a new device to help test driving skill. Called the “Drivometer”, the device is a small rectangular box that fits in the glovebox of a car. Ten counters on its face are linked to the car’s speedometer and basic controls, and the box makes a continuous record of the driver’s performance, measuring his ability against a norm set up by other drivers over the same route. The Drivometer was developed at the University of Michigan’s transportation institute, aided by a research grant from the Ford Motor Company. The counters record steering wheel move-

ments, accelerator movements, brake applications and speed changes. One of the most important checks is the steering wheel reversal rate. The number of times a driver must move the steering wheel to track accurately provides a measure of his ability to concentrate on driving. If his anticipation is good, his reversal rate a minute will be low. A movement of three-eighths of an inch at the rim of the wheel will record a point on the Drivometer, a count of 20 to 25 a minute being considered good. However, too low a score can also be suspect. If a driver who normally averages from 20 to 25 wheel move-

ments a minute slips to 15 movements a minute the indication is that he is tired. Accelerator movement tallies indicate whether a driver is erratic in his control of the car. Good drivers who anticipate situations developing have a good low score.

The number of times the brakes are applied is also important. On a given route in set conditions the experienced driver will record a lower score of brake applications.

The Drivometer is being used for research at universities and schools in the United States and traffic authorities in Britain and the United States are experimenting with it.