Lab report 8: response time

Emmanuel Delmar
12/13/19

Introduction:

This lab will experiment with different scenarios of driving to measure response time.

Methods:

A program will simulate driving and coming across a deer in order to measure different response
times. Variables will be the waiting time, the hand with which this response will be done and doing
other activities simultaneously.

Results:

Dominant Dominan Non- Non- Cellphon Cellphon Texting Texting

response t wait dominant dominant e e wait response wait
response wait response
0.351 4.632 0.378 2.533 0.438 7.247 0.73 8.953
0.350 5.871 0.366 12.031 0.420 4.768 0.742 6.234
0.291 6.262 0.364 9.331 0.382 8.345 0.585 10.385
0.381 3.468 0.341 9.591 0.681 6.262 0.560 13.189
0.329 3.460 0.363 3.899 0.600 2.893 0.367 13.543
0.362 6.556 0.375 6.510 0.402 13.191 0.484 7.055
0.347 5.648 0.368 5.645 0.367 11.275 0.421 11.735
0.346 12.201 0.341 6.072 0.509 2.835 0.467 13.464
0.448 2.515 0.349 10.556 0.495 3.361 0.527 12
0.380 12.956 0.337 10.841 0.402 6.805 0.622 11.015
A: 0.358 A: 6.356 A: 0.358 A: 7.7 A: 0.469 A: 6.698 A: 0.550 A: 10.757
SD: 0.040 SD: 3.542 SD: 0.014 SD: 3.205 SD: 0.102 SD: 3.505 SD: 0.123 SD: 2.606

Discussion:

-Wait time did have an effect on response time.

Does this type of experiment mean anything about actual driving while talking or texting on a cell
phone?

-It does mean something since it shows that human beings are not that able to ‘multitask’ as we
think we are.

What are the differences between our simulation and an actual case where you are driving a car
and trying to suddenly stop?

-The stopping motion requires bigger muscle movement than just clicking a button. You also have
to take into account that many people react differently to situations like that, some might be able
to just stop the car/break while others might react by trying to move the steering when to avoid
impact.
Does this type of experiment have any effect on your driving habits?

-Yes, I will try to use my cellphone less while driving.