Smart Motorist

There are two sorts of satellite navigation systems:

"Static" ones guide a motorist from one address to another, taking no account of road conditions at the time. "Dynamic" systems feed in traffic information to suggest the best route at the time.

In theory this helps a driver to avoid traffic jams as well. But, according to Ruth Bridger of the AA Motoring Trust, there have been problems.

"Real-time data on the road network is quite patchy – even the Highways Agency don't always know of major outages and if that info isn't available to your dynamic satnav then you would still find yourself in a jam," she said.

Most recently TomTom, the leading supplier of navigation solutions today announced the results from leading research institutions in Europe and the US that prove the positive influence of satellite navigation devices on driving and traffic safety. The study was commissioned by TomTom and conducted recently in Germany, the UK, France, Spain, Italy and the US.

The key findings of the research were as follows:

• The use of satellite navigation devices heightens awareness and reduces the stress levels of the driver.
• The use of navigation devices reduces driver’s workload.
• The use of a satellite navigation device improves the driver’s behavior when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination.
• The use of a satellite navigation devices reduces the number of kilometers driven when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination.
• The use of satellite navigation devices reduces travel time when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination.
• It is noted that Tomtom Go 710 satellite navigation system is an efficient traveling guide for your navigation needs. It is a good travel companion that tells you the exact and the best way to go to a specified destination. It has three dimension map view that contains the detailed maps of United Kingdom and Western Europe.  

This unit has hands free option with the support of Bluetooth mechanism. With this new Bluetooth connectivity option you can make contacts with any person or receive calls from any person with out any need wires.

“TomTom has consistently led the market with innovative safety features such as hands-free calling, the Help Me! emergency menu and clear spoken instructions in our navigation devices,” said Harold Goddijn CEO of TomTom. “We are pleased to see objective research further validate the fact that navigation contributes to driving safety and efficiency. The study shows that using a navigation device reduces the number of kilometers that people drive when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination compared to navigation by conventional means, which has positive effects on the environment and fuel costs.”

Better awareness

Drivers across Europe and the US report that they feel in control and alert when using a navigation device. Some examples of local statistics include:

• In Germany 80% of drivers with a navigation device stated they feel more in control when driving with a satellite navigation device and 66% feel more alert.
• In Spain, 81% of drivers with a navigation device report that their alertness stays the same or increases due to driving with a satellite navigation device.

Less stressed and more relaxed behind the wheel

Reduction of stress proved to be an important reason to use a satellite navigation device, as well as one of the main effects of driving with navigation in all countries. Some examples of local statistics include:

• Three quarters (77%) of navigation users in the UK confirm they use a navigation device to feel more relaxed while driving. Approximately three quarters (74%) of UK users said they feel less stressed driving with a navigation device.
• Feeling calmer while driving with a navigation device was reported by an overwhelming majority in all countries surveyed. 71% of users of a navigation system in the U.S. and 68% of the users in Italy respectively communicated this.
  

Less workload

Compared to navigating by conventional means, the research proves that the workload of drivers is reduced when using a satellite navigation solution. TUV/DLR (Germany) and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (US) measured reduced driver workload when participants were driving in unfamiliar areas to an unknown destination in Germany and the US respectively. In other words, driving while using conventional navigation tools, such as maps and digital Internet route planners, proved to present a higher workload.

In the survey the majority of the users in most countries indicated that the use of a navigation system makes it easier to keep their attention on the road. 

Some examples of local statistics include:

• 74% of the German users of a navigation system found it easier to keep their attention on the road
• 59% of American users found it easier to keep their attention on the road

Positive effect on drivers’ behavior

• Changes in driving behavior were observed by the experimenter/driving instructor that was sitting next to the participant in the instrumented vehicle studies. When driving with the navigation system significantly less driving errors were observed. For instance, in the US the instrumented vehicle study showed more dangerous actions on the road and more unsafe driving without a navigation system.
• Similar positive results on the effect of navigation solutions on drivers behavior were found from the survey. For instance:
• In the survey the majority of French navigation system users (60%) say they drive more safely with a navigation system.
• German users also state that they feel safer driving with a navigation device (65%).

Environmental benefits: reduction of mileage and time

The driving experiment proved that the number of kilometers driven when using a TomTom satellite navigation solution is reduced when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination compared to navigation by conventional means. For example, in Germany there was a reduction in the number of miles driven by 6.5%.

Time spent traveling is also proven to be reduced when using a navigation device. In Germany, for example this was a decrease of 11.2%. Fewer kilometers are driven, fuel is saved which is beneficial for both the car driver and the environment.

About the research

There were two elements used by TNO to determine the answer to the central question “What are the effects of navigation systems on traffic safety?”. A user survey was conducted among a representative sample of drivers in Germany, the US the UK, France, Italy and Spain. Additionally, in-car studies of drivers were conducted in Germany by TUV and DLR as well as in the US by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. The research programme was conducted over a three month period and was completed in May 2008. The generic findings of this study show that satellite navigation solutions have a positive effect on traffic safety. The results from this research are supported by a similar research conducted by TNO in 2007.

Tips on the safe use of navigation systems:

• Plan your journey in advance. Sat Navs will help you plan a route, not every aspect of a journey. RoSPA have produced a leaflet providing advice on journey planning. Planning a journey in advance can reduce the driver’s reliance on the Sat Nav at dangerous times, and will also prompt drivers to think about issues such as fatigue and the best time to do the journey.
• Position the sat nav safely, out of the way of airbags and not obstructing a driver’s vision
• Find a method of using the Sat Nav that is not distracting to you
• Always make the same observations to keep you safe that you would without the Sat Nav
• Learn from your mistakes and if in doubt, seek refresher training
• Organizations must ensure that staff can use Sat Navs safely
  

References:

 

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