Sensitivity of Subjective Questionnaires to Cognitive Loading While Driving With Navigation Aids: A Pilot Study

This article reports on a study undertaken as part of the development of automated aids for driving tasks, particularly in a military setting. The author introduces the importance of the effect of cognitive task interference on driving performance; for example, the crew of such vehicles may have to occasionally perform communication and planning tasks while driving. In this preliminary study, participants (n = 16) drove a vehicle simulator with automated road-turn cues (i.e., visual, audio, combined, or neither) along a course marked on a map display while replying to spoken test questions that included repeating sentences, math and logical puzzles, route planning, or none) and reporting other vehicles in the scenario. Following each session in the simulator, the driver answered a battery of subjective questionnaires to determine the perceived effects of the loading on their cognitive functionality. The results showed that the participants drove significantly faster with the road-turn cues than with just the map. They recalled fewer vehicle sightings when they were coping with the cognitive tests than without them. Questionnaire results showed that their reasoning was more straightforward, the quantity of information for understanding higher, and the trust greater with the combined cues than the map-only. They reported higher perceived workload with the cognitive tests under the condition of driver assistance cues. The association and intuitiveness of cognitive processing were lowest and the subjective stress highest for the route planning test. The authors conclude that the subjective questionnaires are sensitive to the effects of the cognitive loading and, therefore, may be useful for guiding the development of automated aid designs.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00956562
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Special Issue: Operational Applications of Cognitive Performance Enhancement Technologies
• Authors:
  • Smyth, Christopher C
• Publication Date: 2007-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp B39-B50
• Serial:
  • Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
  • Volume: 78
  • Issue Number: 5, Sect II, Suppl
  • Publisher: Aerospace Medical Association
  • ISSN: 0095-6562
  • Serial URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asem

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced vehicle control systems; Attention; Attention lapses; Audible warning devices in vehicles; Automated vehicle control; Automobile drivers; Awareness; Cognition; Highway curves; Maps; Multitasking; Perception; Stress (Psychology); Visual perception; Workload
• Uncontrolled Terms: Route planning; Visual cues
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01083172
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 31 2007 7:37AM