Gaze characteristics of drivers in curved sections

Sight is poor in the curve which will cause difficulties for drivers to determine road conditions accurately (Farid I. Kandil & AlexanderRotter, 2010) leading to traffic accidents. Throughout the driving process, visual characteristics play a key role. Based on the research at home and abroad, this paper analyzed driver's gaze characteristics in curved sections. We designed a simulation experiment collecting 15 drivers' eye movement data. Driving simulators recorded the movement data of vehicles. We analyzed the relationship between several time indicators and radius of curve and the influence of vehicle's manipulation and assessed dangerous area in curves. Results showed radius of curve has influences on previewing time, continuous gazing starting relative to curve starting and continuous gazing ending relative to curve ending. Most drivers will stop gazing before exit the curve, so this stage has a high risk of accidents. Moreover, gaze characteristics also influence vehicle's manipulation.