This thesis investigates how different camera perspectives in Camera Monitor Systems (CMS) impact driver depth perception and decision-making in dynamic driving scenarios. The study specifically examines the effects of field of view (FOV) and camera height on drivers’ ability to judge distances to rearward vehicles and select safe gaps in potentially hazardous situations. A controlled video experiment was conducted, involving 27 participants who performed distance estimation and last safe gap (LSG) selection tasks using simulated CMS displays. Participants viewed pre-recorded driving scenarios with varying combinations of FOV (40°, 76°, 112°) and camera heights (100 cm, 230 cm). Results indicate that while no significant effects were found for camera height, wider FOVs led to more accurate distance estimations. However, the use of wider FOVs also increased the risk of potentially dangerous overestimations of distance, as evidenced by the LSG results, which suggest that wider FOVs lead to the selection of smaller and potentially risky gaps. Conversely, narrow FOVs resulted in underestimations of distance, potentially leading to overly cautious and less efficient driving decisions. These findings contribute to the understanding of how CMS design parameters affect driver perception and safety. The insights gained can inform guidelines for the development of CMS in the automotive industry, aiming to enhance road safety and reduce accidents caused by misjudgments of vehicle distances.

Keywords: Camera Monitor Systems, CMS, field of view, FOV, depth perception, distance estimation, last safe gap, LSG, driver safety, automotive design, road safety, traffic accidents, visual perception.