Title

The Effect of Prior Task Loading on Mental Workload: An Example of Hysteresis in Driving

Authors

Authors

J. F. Morgan;P. A. Hancock

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Hum. Factors

Keywords

mental workload; stress; workload transitions; driving simulation; driver performance; hysteresis; VIGILANCE DECREMENT; SUSTAINED ATTENTION; VISUAL-ATTENTION; PERFORMANCE; EXPECTANCY; Behavioral Sciences; Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology, ; Applied; Psychology

Abstract

Objective: This study examined how transitions in task demand during a driving and navigation task manifested themselves as delayed adaptation in driver mental workload. Background: A delayed reaction to changes in demand levels, termed hysteresis, has been identified in a number of settings. However, little research has specifically examined the driving task for hysteresis effects. Method: A total of 32 drivers completed drives while using a navigation system that would fail within the drive. Subjective mental workload was recorded prior to and following system failure as well as at the conclusion of the drive. Results: Results indicated that a gradual reduction in overall mental workload across trials and a lagged recovery to reduction in task demand was present within trials. Analysis of the mental workload subscales within trials indicated that this effect was produced by the mental effort component of workload. Conclusion: A moderate hysteresis effect is present in mental workload transitions within the driving task. Although subjective mental workload decreases across trials, the magnitude of the lagged recovery within trials remains unchanged. Application: Scaling of in-vehicle information is beneficial with respect to driver mental workload. Display and communication technologies designers should consider not only the immediate task demand but also the driver's task demand history when determining what and how to provide information.

Journal Title

Human Factors

Volume

53

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

75

Last Page

86

WOS Identifier

WOS:000290278200007

ISSN

0018-7208

Share

COinS