Open AccessAgeing drivers’ mental workload in real-time driving tasks based on subjective and objective measures
Author(s) -
Nurul Izzah Abd Rahman,
Siti Zawiah Md Dawal,
Nukman Yusoff
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
maǧallaẗ al-abḥāṯ al-handasiyyaẗ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2307-1885
pISSN - 2307-1877
DOI - 10.36909/jer.v9i3b.9205
Subject(s) - workload , ageing , task (project management) , population ageing , mental fatigue , human factors and ergonomics , population , computer science , driving simulator , psychology , poison control , simulation , applied psychology , engineering , medicine , medical emergency , environmental health , systems engineering , operating system
The ageing drivers’ population is increasing rapidly, and they are exposed to disabilities due to degenerative processes, thus affecting their driving performance. The main objective of this study is to determine the mental workload of ageing drivers, while the second objective is to compare the mental workload between ageing drivers and control group. The methodology consisted of on-the-road experimental driving tasks that comprised three levels of situation complexity. The NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and electroencephalogram (EEG) were measured on 30 drivers. The NASA-TLX scores revealed that the ageing drivers’ mean physical demand score was the highest compared to others in moderately complex situation and very complex situation, scoring 37.25 and 43.50, respectively. Meanwhile, for electroencephalogram signals’ fluctuation, results showed that situation complexity had significant effects on RPθ and RPα of channel locations FZPZ and O1O2. There was a significant difference in the weighted workload scores for the ageing drivers and control group in simple situation, while there was no significant difference found in RPθ and RPα bands at all channel locations. The findings would be beneficial as a guideline for designers, manufacturers, developers, and policy makers in designing better driving environment for ageing drivers.