Open AccessEvaluation of the tactile detection response task in a laboratory test using a surrogate driving set‐up
Author(s) -
Schindhelm Roland,
Schmidt Eike
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
iet intelligent transport systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.579
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-9578
pISSN - 1751-956X
DOI - 10.1049/iet-its.2014.0186
Subject(s) - task (project management) , cognitive load , intrusiveness , cognition , computer science , set (abstract data type) , cognitive resource theory , task analysis , psychology , engineering , developmental psychology , neuroscience , systems engineering , programming language
This study presents findings of a laboratory experiment which aimed at evaluating the sensitivity and intrusiveness of tactile detection response task (TDRT) methodology. Various single‐task, dual‐task and triple‐task scenarios were compared. The task scenarios included a surrogate of driving (tracking task) and different secondary tasks ( N ‐back, surrogate reference task (SuRT)). The results suggest that the TDRT is sensitive to load levels of secondary tasks which primarily demand for cognitive resources ( N ‐back). Sensitivity to variations of visual–manual load could not be shown (SuRT). TDRT seems also to be able to differentiate between modes of primary task which varies in terms of cognitive load (visual against auditory tracking task). Results indicated intrusiveness of TDRT on primary task performance and secondary task performance depending on the type of underlying task scenario. As a conclusion, TDRT can be recommended as a method to assess attentional effects of cognitive load of a secondary task, but should be used with caution for secondary tasks with strong motor demands.