Visual Factors and Reaction Time
It's much more complicated than most may think
This is the simplified version
Reference: www.visualexpert.com
Understanding Visual Factors and Reaction Time Reaction time is an incredibly complicated topic. Why, you ask, well it's because the human body it's self is the most complicated machine on the planet. When a racer responds to something on the track, he/she has to see, hear or feel before a reaction can take place. Most racers understand that reaction time is an important component for performance driving, but most don't understand what happens before the reaction. Below is the simple version of reaction time. 1) Mental Processing Time: This is the time it takes for the driver to perceive the signal. For example, it's the time it take for the driver to detect an accident in front for them. Also involved in this process are Sensation, Perception and Response Selection. � Sensation: The time it takes to detect an objects sensory signal. Example, there is an object in your path. With greater signal intensity, reaction time will decrease. An example of this is: if there were a number of cars involved in an accident in front of you, then reaction time will decrease due to the greater signal intensity. � Perception: The time it takes to understand the meaning of the sensation. Example, the object in your path is a spinning car. Perception also requires the use of information from memory to interpret the sensation. If it's a novel input (a unfamiliar situation) then reaction will be slower. � Response Selection: The time it takes to decide what to do. Example, steer left, steer right or brake. With experience response selection does improve because it involves a mental programming component. If there are multiple cars in the driver's path then Choice Reaction becomes involved. With Choice Reaction the driver must discriminate or decide what to react to first. 2) Movement Time: The time it takes (after a response has been selected) to move the required muscles. More complex movements require more movement time. 3) Vehicle Response Time: The time it takes for the car to react to the input of the driver. Mechanical devices do take time to actuate. Other factors affecting reaction time: � Cognitive Load: Simply put, this is what you are thinking about and the tasks you are performing wile driving. The more you have to do and the more stray thoughts you have all together will decrease reaction time. Think of yourself as a computer, the more programs you have running at the same time the slower the computer will be. If you are racing and at the same time thinking of what a friend watching you in the stands thought of the pass you just put on someone, then you may just get passed right back.
