Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impaired
Abstract Often, we have to rely on limited information when judging time-to-contact (TTC), as for example, when driving in foul weather, or in situations where we would need reading glasses but do not have them handy. However, most existing studies on the ability to judge TTC have worked with optima...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00331-5 |
| _version_ | 1819118273942257664 |
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| author | Heiko Hecht Esther Brendel Marlene Wessels Christoph Bernhard |
| author_facet | Heiko Hecht Esther Brendel Marlene Wessels Christoph Bernhard |
| author_sort | Heiko Hecht |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Often, we have to rely on limited information when judging time-to-contact (TTC), as for example, when driving in foul weather, or in situations where we would need reading glasses but do not have them handy. However, most existing studies on the ability to judge TTC have worked with optimal visual stimuli. In a prediction motion task, we explored to what extent TTC estimation is affected by visual stimulus degradation. A simple computer-simulated object approached the observer at constant speed either with clear or impaired vision. It was occluded after 1 or 1.5 s. The observers extrapolated the object’s motion and pressed a button when they thought the object would have collided with them. We found that dioptric blur and simulated snowfall shortened TTC-estimates. Contrast reduction produced by a virtual semi-transparent mask lengthened TTC estimates, which could be the result of distance overestimation or speed underestimation induced by the lower contrast or the increased luminance of the mask. We additionally explored the potential influence of arousal and valence, although they played a minor role for basic TTC estimation. Our findings suggest that vision impairments have adverse effects on TTC estimation, depending on the specific type of degradation and the changes of the visual environmental cues which they cause. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:46:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9c2195655b30490fa65f5b3cc916be4c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:46:16Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c2195655b30490fa65f5b3cc916be4c2022-12-21T18:37:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-10-0111111410.1038/s41598-021-00331-5Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impairedHeiko Hecht0Esther Brendel1Marlene Wessels2Christoph Bernhard3Psychologisches Institut, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität MainzPsychologisches Institut, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität MainzPsychologisches Institut, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität MainzPsychologisches Institut, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität MainzAbstract Often, we have to rely on limited information when judging time-to-contact (TTC), as for example, when driving in foul weather, or in situations where we would need reading glasses but do not have them handy. However, most existing studies on the ability to judge TTC have worked with optimal visual stimuli. In a prediction motion task, we explored to what extent TTC estimation is affected by visual stimulus degradation. A simple computer-simulated object approached the observer at constant speed either with clear or impaired vision. It was occluded after 1 or 1.5 s. The observers extrapolated the object’s motion and pressed a button when they thought the object would have collided with them. We found that dioptric blur and simulated snowfall shortened TTC-estimates. Contrast reduction produced by a virtual semi-transparent mask lengthened TTC estimates, which could be the result of distance overestimation or speed underestimation induced by the lower contrast or the increased luminance of the mask. We additionally explored the potential influence of arousal and valence, although they played a minor role for basic TTC estimation. Our findings suggest that vision impairments have adverse effects on TTC estimation, depending on the specific type of degradation and the changes of the visual environmental cues which they cause.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00331-5 |
| spellingShingle | Heiko Hecht Esther Brendel Marlene Wessels Christoph Bernhard Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impaired Scientific Reports |
| title | Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impaired |
| title_full | Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impaired |
| title_fullStr | Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impaired |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impaired |
| title_short | Estimating time-to-contact when vision is impaired |
| title_sort | estimating time to contact when vision is impaired |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00331-5 |
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