Managing Risk With the IPDE Process

The IPDE Process

Understanding Risk Factors Driver contributed factors Ex: Radio, combing hair, using cell phone, eating/drinking, what else? Vehicle-Contributed Factors Bald tires, broken windshield, broken headlights Roadway/Environment Factors Bright sun, glare, sharp curve, ice and snow…

IPDE PROCESS AN ORGANIZED SYSTEM OF SEEING, THINKING AND RESPONDING The driving task is primarily a thinking task. IDENTIFY PREDICT Use visual search pattern to identify Open and closed zones Specific clues Other users Roadway features and conditions Traffic controls Use knowledge, judgment and experience to predict Actions of other users Change of direction Points of conflict Consequences of your actions

IPDE PROCESS cont… AN ORGANIZED SYSTEM OF SEEING, THINKING AND RESPONDING DECIDE EXECUTE Decide to use one or more actions to… Change or maintain speed Change direction communicate Execute your decisions to… Control speed Steer Communicate Combine actions

The Smith System Is a method to help drivers develop good seeing habits. 1. Aim high in steering. 2. Keep your eyes moving. 3. Get the big picture. 4. Make sure others see you.

Zone Control System – is a method for managing the six zones of space surrounding your vehicle. 1. See a zone change. 2. Check other zones. 3. Create time and space by getting the best speed control, lane position, and communication Zone Control allows you to see and respond to the changes in the traffic environment.

IDENTIFY AND PREDICT IDENTIFY ZONE LOCATIONS When to look, where to look, how to look and what to look for! Right Rear Zone Right Front Zone Rear Zone Front Zone Left Front Zone Left Rear Zone

Open Zone is space where you can see without a restriction to your line of sight, or to your intended path of travel. Line of sight is distance you can see ahead in the direction you are looking. Path of travel is the space your vehicle will occupy as you travel ahead. Closed zone is a space not open to you because of a restriction in your line of sight or intended path of travel. i.e A red traffic light, a vehicle driving to close behind.

Three searching ranges 1. The target area range, which is the space from your vehicle to the target area. (Early detection) 2. The twelve to fifteen second range, which is the space you will travel in during the next twelve to fifteen seconds. (Identify changes) 3. Four to six second range, space traveled in the next four to six seconds. (Final update)

Orderly Visual Search Pattern What is it? Safe Driving Tip Process of searching critical areas in a regular sequence. “Beginning drivers sometimes fixate for several seconds on the same clue or event. They do not look far enough in to target-area ranges, and often drive with swerves and jerky movements. Do not let yourself become a “stare” driver!”

Orderly Visual Search Pattern Steps Look ahead to your target area range. Evaluate your left front zone in the 12-15 second range. Glance in the rearview mirror to check your rear zone. Evaluate your 4-6 second range before entering that space. Look ahead again to evaluate another 12-15 second range. Check your 4-6 second range. Glance in your rearview mirror. Check speedometer and gauges. Practice using these steps as a passenger.

Aspects of Vision Field of vision is the area you can see around you. Aim high in steering – to look ahead 12-15 second into your target area. Scanning is glancing continually and quickly with very brief fixations through your orderly visual search pattern. KEEP EYES MOVING. Get the big picture. REMEMBER: Too look at the ground as well. Ground viewing – making quick glances at the ground. Check other drivers wheels to see the direction they are headed.

PREDICT Taking the information you have identified and thinking about what could possibly happen How to predict Past experience Scanning is vital! What to predict Actions of roadway users Your control of the vehicle Consequences of actions Predicting actions of others Path Action Space Point of conflict

PREDICT Predicting control of your vehicle Knowledge/Experience The slower you go the more control you have Traction your vehicle has on the roadway surfaces Knowledge/Experience Gaining knowledge takes time Traffic Laws and drivers education materials. Learn from others and past experiences so you can make solid predictions later Judgment Speed, time, space, distance, traction and visibility Judgments about your driving as well as other roadway users

DECIDE Decide to change speed Decide to change direction Decide to communicate Space Cushion – open area around a vehicle consisting of adequate following distance between it and the vehicles ahead and behind, plus swerve paths to left and right Traffic flow Separate hazards – more than one hazard at a time. Change speed so your can deal with one hazard at a time. Compromise Space – reduce risk by giving as much space as possible to the greater of two or more hazards. Steer Communicate (lights, signal, flashers, horn, positioning and eye contact)

Traffic Flow Minimize a hazard Separate hazards Compromising space Reduce the possibility of conflict, by deciding to put more distance between yourself and the hazard Separate hazards Being able to handle more than one hazard at a time. KEY POINT : Decide to adjust your speed so you only deal with one hazard at a time. Compromising space Reduce risk by giving as much space as possible to the greater hazard In every situation, the action you decide on should be the one involving the least amount of risk.

Execute Carrying out your decision Control Speed – your action to maintain speed, decelerate or increase speed (always check rear zone before decelerating) Steer – When steering away from a conflict execute just the amount of steering needed. Be aware not to over or under steer. Communicate – Do it early enough so others users know your intentions. Headlights, taillights, and break lights Turn-signals lights (3-5 seconds before) Parking lights and hazard flashers Back up lights Horn

Using the IPDE Process Commentary Driving Continuous Practice with the IPDE Commentary Driving Once you have developed the IPDE as a habit you will See more Make more accurate predictions and correct decisions Execute maneuvers more successfully A system of “thinking out loud” as you practice the IPDE process. You verbalize what you identify, predict, and decide.