Driving Dynamics: An In-depth Analysis of Attention Allocation Between Driver and Co-driver in a Simulated Environment

To further improve the visual attention mechanism, this study explores the impact of roles and task assignments on individual attention by analyzing differences in attention allocation between drivers and co-drivers during the driving process. In this experiment, participants were subjected to a road simulation driving test, and eye-tracking technology was employed to analyze the fixation and saccadic behaviors of drivers and co-drivers. This study mainly consists of two parts: First, using indicators such as the percentage of fixation points, total duration of fixations, average duration of fixations, percentage of saccadic counts, and average duration of saccades, we analyze the differences in the fixation behaviors of the driver and the co-driver towards different areas. Secondly, by studying participants' attention levels towards different information, we analyze the disparities in the attention of the driver and the co-driver on different road areas and various traffic information. The study indicates significant differences in attention allocation between drivers and co-drivers due to varying task assignments and distinct responsibilities and expectations for the two roles in the driving task. The research findings have important implications for the improvement of visual attention mechanisms and also provide valuable insights for enhancing vehicle design, increasing driving safety, and developing effective driving training strategies.