ABSTRACT
In the present study we employed a control theory methodology for assessing the information used for steering control Subjects were presented with displays simulating motion through a complex 3D environment. The simulated horizontal position of the vehicle was perturbed by a sum of sines driving function. The subject’s task was to null the horizontal displacement, using a steering wheel, and maintain a straight path of motion. Horizontal control was recorded at 60 Hz. The data were analyzed using four measures: (1) gain and phase angle of control power were derived using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT); (2) correlated control power; (3) unsigned control error; and (4) standard deviation of control error. The results indicated greater accuracy and increased stability in control for scenes simulating a ground plane as compared to a 3D volume. The results provide support for analyses based on spatial pooling of statistical properties of velocity information.
