Application of eyetracking research techniques into road safety studies - theoretical considerations

In recent years, both in Poland and throughout Europe the number of road accidents and the number of people injured and killed in these cases systematically decreases (despite a slight increase in 2011). Despite the general goals of EU transport policy for years 2000-2010 have not been fulfilled (the number of fatalities in road accidents have not been reduced by half in these years) the Commission on Mobility and Transport is continuing its efforts to reduce the number of accidents, which resulted in the EP resolution of 27th August, 2011. Under this policy, the EU Member States are forced to develop and implement appropriate procedures and requirements associated with road safety analysis in the near future. An important obligation have been introduced with the Directive 2008/96/EC, stating the compulsory road safety audits (RSA) should be carried on TEN-T road network. European Parliament also announced extension of this obligation on other public roads in the near future. These aspirations could be supported with modern engineering and research technology. In following article, authors describe the possibilities of using eyetracking technologies in studies over road safety analysis. Therefore, modern eyetracking devices were characterized, with particular emphasis on its possible use in the study of driver's behaviours in road traffic conditions. Also, a brief analysis of the methodology of the eyetracking experiments in traffic conditions and their results was presented, indicating possibilities of carrying RSA using similar equipment. In the last chapter authors, discuss possible use of eyetracking technologies in studies of road safety analysis in the context of the existing law in European Union and each member's law regulation system.