Exploring the time-saving bias: How drivers misestimate time saved when increasing speed

Journal Title: Judgment and Decision Making - Year 2010, Vol 5, Issue 7

Abstract

According to the time-saving bias, drivers underestimate the time saved when increasing from a low speed and overestimate the time saved when increasing from a relatively high speed. Previous research used a specific type of task — drivers were asked to estimate time saved when increasing speed and to give a numeric response — to show this. The present research conducted two studies with multiple questions to show that the time-saving bias occurs in other tasks. Study 1 found that drivers committed the time-saving bias when asked to estimate (a) the time saved when increasing speed or (b) the distance that can be completed at a given time when increasing speed or (c) the speed required to complete a given distance in decreasing times. Study 2 showed no major differences in estimations of time saved compared to estimations of the remaining journey time and also between responses given on a numeric scale versus a visual analog scale. Study 3 tested two possible explanations for the time-saving bias: a Proportion heuristic and a Differences heuristic. Some evidence was found for use of the latter.

Authors and Affiliations

Eyal Peer

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP677767
  • DOI -
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How To Cite

Eyal Peer (2010). Exploring the time-saving bias: How drivers misestimate time saved when increasing speed. Judgment and Decision Making, 5(7), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-677767