Research framework for studying driver distraction on Polish city highways

Analysis of accidents has found driver distraction to be a significant cause of accidents on the highways [1]. Therefore, studying the causes of driver distraction that impact its risk level is needed for a better understanding of accident occurrences. There is general scarcity of research in this field with no established research framework to study driver distractions. This paper proposes a modular research framework for conducting a driver distraction study on Polish city highways. The framework contains guidelines for distraction studies for wide range of cost and time intervals such as a quick, low cost study like analysis of existing accident databases maintained by the cities to relatively higher cost, longer duration study involving field data collection, statistical modeling, and analysis. A city may choose one or more modules to suit their study requirements including statistical and simulation tools to assess and validate the historical or empirical result. The framework is based on the careful modifications and revisions of an earlier transit bus driver study conducted in the Commonwealth of Virginia, U.S.A., and results from this research are presented for purposes of illustration.