ARive: Assisting Drivers with In-Car Augmented Reality for Risk Zone Detection

Human factors such as fatigue and distraction often impair drivers' ability to gauge traffic dynamics, leading to collisions, especially at unsignalized intersections. Augmented reality (AR) technology, particularly through advanced 3D projections and wearable head-mounted displays (HMDs), offers a promising enhancement by integrating comprehensive environmental awareness directly into the driver's field of view. This paper presents "ARive," an innovative AR driver-assistance system designed to improve road safety by projecting dynamic risk zones beneath other traffic participants, thus providing real-time kinematic information to promote safer driving distances and informed decision-making. The research involved developing two distinct AR designs and testing them using a fixed-base driving simulator with integrated real-time data communication. A user study with 17 participants revealed that while AR projections significantly improve distance maintenance, particularly in abrupt braking scenarios, they do not markedly affect brake response times or enhance safety during critical events. These findings suggest the need for further optimization of AR design elements to maximize effectiveness, highlighting the potential of AR in enhancing driver awareness and safety.