Enhancing driver training with attention data

In the world of driving instruction, every corner, decision, and moment behind the wheel matters. To learn more about improving driver performance and safety, our research specialist, Stephano Radaelli, spoke with Philip Hansson, a seasoned driving instructor with a passion for harnessing innovative tools to revolutionize driver training.

With over 12 years of experience in various driving environments, including traffic, emergency personnel, and race car driver education, Philip brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. His previous roles, including working with major car manufacturers, have equipped him with a keen understanding of the intricacies of driver behavior and training.

His insights illuminate the often-unseen dynamics of driver behavior and the transformative potential of integrating eye tracking technology into the world of driving education.

Skip ahead to watch the full video interview.

Understanding driver decision-making

For Philip, knowledge is power when it comes to effective instruction. Rather than relying solely on intuition and hours of guesswork, he sought tangible proof of where drivers looked and began exploring tools to uncover the nuances of driver behavior.

This led him to add eye tracking glasses to his toolkit. By providing instructors with objective insights into driver attention, Philip’s team can now more confidently tailor their guidance to meet the needs of individual learners, build stronger connections with students, and create a more dynamic learning environment.

He describes his training process like this:

“It's quite easy to use. They put on the glasses, and we start the recording. We go out and do the tests and try to evaluate them afterward. It has been very interesting to look at these recordings to see if there is a relation between where [drivers] look and what kind of decisions they make.

After each driving session, Philip and his team conduct post-drive evaluations of the recordings and use them to guide conversations with drivers. These recordings serve as a window into the mind of the driver, shedding light on moments of hesitation, clarity, and everything in between.

“It's been very interesting for the participant to view the recordings as well, as they can then go back in their memory to think and look what they could have been doing differently if they were to go into the same situation again.”

The importance of improving driver attention

A key realization from Philip's work is the profound impact of visual focus on driving proficiency. From anticipating turns to gauging distance and speed, every aspect of driving hinges on where the driver directs their gaze. By measuring where drivers are looking, Philip aims to instill greater awareness and mindfulness among learners, ultimately leading to safer and more competent drivers on the road. 

“Up to now, we have been guessing in a qualified way. Now we can get more evidence of what the participant is looking at.” 

This is especially significant in the fast-paced world of emergency responders and blue-light personnel. With narrow training windows, efficiency becomes paramount. Hansson emphasizes the importance of accelerated and improved learning, especially for those who navigate high-stakes situations on the road. Every moment spent behind the wheel is an opportunity for growth and preparedness. 

“When driving, things happen so quickly, you really don't realize how many decisions we make every second. So, the glasses have been very efficient in looking into what kind of decisions the participant is making.”  

Another interesting observation from his work over the years is that some of the latest vehicle automation features can impact driver attention and decision-making negatively. 

“We can see that the more automation that goes into the car, the less the driver focuses on driving.” 

This underscores the importance of driver training and the critical relationship between a driver's sense of control and their visual focus.  

Envisioning the future of driving education

Looking ahead, Philip likens their journey to opening Pandora’s box - full of unknown but exciting possibilities and applications. Their future focus extends beyond car drivers, expanding to pilots and motorcyclists as well. With each additional participant, Philip and his team edge closer to making driving safer and more efficient for all, whether it is blue light personnel or everyday drivers like us.

“It's a no-brainer that this is a very useful tool for all driver instructors. So definitely, we'll see that be more of a best practice in the coming years.”

Check out the full interview with Philip Hansson to hear more about his experience and insights into using eye tracking to boost driver training: