International Journal of Transportation Engineering

International Journal of Transportation Engineering

Evaluating the Effects of Speech-Based Auditory Warnings on Safe Driving Behavior among Young Drivers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Milad Yargholi 1
Hamid Mirzahossein 2
Mehdi Rafati Fard 3
Amin Faridiaghdam 4
1 Master of Engineering, Department of Civil–Transportation Planning, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Civil–Transportation Planning, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil–Transportation Planning, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran
4 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil–Transportation Planning, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran
10.22119/ijte.2026.588067.1732
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of speech-based auditory warnings on safe driving behavior in high-risk situations using a high-fidelity driving simulator. Utilizing a within-subject design, 36 young drivers navigated an urban scenario under two conditions: "with" and "without" auditory warnings. Warnings consisted of brief Persian voice messages (e.g., reduce your speed, hazard ahead) delivered at predefined critical moments before hazardous events. Behavioral and vehicle-related indicators including collisions, speed limit exceedances, velocity, braking intensity, accelerator pedal input, engine RPM, and seat-belt use were recorded via simulator logs and analyzed using paired statistical tests. The auditory warnings significantly enhanced safety metrics: mean collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and fixed objects decreased by 80%, 76%, and 56%, respectively, while speed limit exceedances dropped by 53%. During critical events, warnings prompted lower speeds, reduced accelerator input, lower engine RPM, and increased braking intensity. Seat-belt compliance also improved; however, as no explicit seat-belt warning was provided and the condition order was fixed, this remains an exploratory finding. Overall, this pilot study suggests that speech-based auditory warnings can significantly improve key indicators of safe driving behavior among young drivers in simulated environments. Nonetheless, generalizing these short-term findings to real-world driving requires future research with randomized or counterbalanced condition order and larger sample sizes.
Keywords
Speech-based Auditory Warning
Driving Simulator
Driver Behavior
Young Drivers
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International Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 14, Issue 1 - Serial Number 53
Summer 2026
Pages 2495-2516