​The choice of an inappropriate speed for the current driving context is a common phenomenon. In this respect, researchers have investigated whether perceptual distortion effects can “trick” drivers into thinking they are travelling faster than reality, for instance by using specific road markings on the approach to a key junction.

​

In this project, we consider the potential for altering speed perception through the spatial adaption of music within a vehicle. In a fixed-base simulator, sixteen participants drove with no other traffic and were asked to maintain a speed of 70mph. At specific points, the speedometer was turned off.  Music at a constant tempo was played throughout varying in the balance between front and rear speakers.

​

Without the speedometer, participants drove significantly slower after the music faded from the front to rear speakers (mean speed 72mph) compared to when no change occurred (mean speed 73.2mph). Post study interviews revealed that participants were not aware of alterations in the spatial positioning of the music. Such results suggest drivers naturally slowed when the music faded from front to rear speakers in an unconscious attempt to re-envelope themselves within the sound bubble.  Further work will consider other variables with a larger sample.