Based on the latest research in neuroscience, a Go/No Go inhabitation control test for young cyclists was developed. Three flashing lamps were placed on a test track to attract the pupils’ attention; for the Go test the pupils were asked to look at the lights, whereas for the No Go test the young cyclists were asked not to.
Using wearable glasses with eye-tracking sensors, their gaze was mapped. While most pupils indicated they had easily passed the No Go test, the results showed that only half had managed to follow the given instructions.
The results were used to establish an attention training program for the most critical traffic situations, which is being evaluated by studying cyclist behaviour in a virtual reality (VR) scenario. Teachers from three counties conducted the training program with 30 pupils in SINTEF’s VR laboratory.
The pupils sit on a bike with VR goggles with integrated eye-tracking and ride in a very lifelike scenario. The task is to behave like they practiced during the attention training. A control group rides the same scenario, having received only regular bike training.
The results show a distinct difference between the groups, as the experiment group is orientating better in risk situations at the intersection and have a more conscious movement of their gaze.
The output of the research focuses on using maps and creating mind maps through discussions and experience. Putting that knowledge to use, Trygg Trafikk have also produced a playmat with activity cards to be used in after school care and for the oldest children in kindergarten to get children to relate to maps from an early age.
The children, attention and cycling project was presented during the Key Principles webinar.
More Information
A paper on the results of the study is available here.
Trygg Trafikk – The playmat and the activity cards.