Naturalistic Findings for Assisted Snowplow Operation

Performance data on the benefit of a driver assistance system for snowplows was collected during normal snow removal operations. Collection occurred during a series of ride-alongs by research staff over two winters. The test area was a major interstate freeway over a western mountain pass that historically has had numerous low visibility conditions and heavy snowfall. Variables examined were lateral displacement from the lane center, speed, steering wheel angle standard deviation, and nearest forward target when following. The driver assistance system appeared to be quantifiably similar to unaided driving in good weather conditions. The findings suggest that the system was particularly beneficial during low visibility and obscured road marking conditions - the scenarios for which the system was designed.