New Driving System for Motorist Vigilance

By Broadside News Editor Sonya Hudson

The New Jersey Department of Transportation is implementing a new system in which drivers can call an automated service to get real-time traffic updates as a response to problems with “vigilance decrement” — a loss of focus commonly known as “zoning out.”

“‘Vigilance’ is the term referring to the ability of people to focus on a monotonous monitoring task,” said George Mason University professor of psychology, Raja Parasuraman. “‘Vigilance decrement’ refers to the decline in this ability as time progresses.”

Parasuraman has doubts about the service. “It could be potentially useful in that people could get the information they wanted rather than unwanted information. However, the specific way that people call in would be important.”

Parasuraman raised the issue of cell phone use, even hands-free devices, as a cause of an added distraction for drivers.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation encouraged drivers to use hands-free devices as the state has a ban on using hand-held cell phones while driving.

Because Mason is situated in the suburbs of Washington it is surrounded by a great deal of traffic during the week. Parasuraman thinks Mason could potentially benefit from such a traffic service.

“I think traffic congestion due to construction and accidents is a problem in the Mason area,” said Parasuraman. “I think the New Jersey service could be useful if designed properly.”