| Description |
The advancement of technological devices (any electronic device affecting the driver) for vehicles has resulted in improved functionality and capability. However, this extreme progression has resulted in the increased likelihood of impaired driving. Because of the development of this technology, the amount of visual and cognitive workload (mental processes when performing tasks) increases, resulting in more dangerous situations for drivers to be involved in an accident. Researchers currently employ a variety of methods to assess levels of mental workload in the automobile, including the Detection Response Task (DRT). The relationship between visual workload (distraction from visual information) and manual workload (physical actions that causes distraction) has not been thoroughly explored in Human Factors Literature. In order to assess visual-manual workload in simulated driving, 60 college-aged participants (32 women and 28 men) were asked to perform both visual search tasks and DRT tasks with varying levels of difficulty while controlling the steering wheel of a driving simulator. Analysis of the DRT found that reaction time and accuracy increased based on the difficulty of the visual tasks. Also, steering deviation increased with the DRT, indicating that the DRT is sensitive to visual-manual workload. Further studies are needed to examine relationships between DRT and visual-manual workload. Overall, participants may inaccurately perceive difficulties in visual-manual tasks, affecting their driving capabilities whereas the DRT is better able to measure these difficulties. |
