The Effects of Driving Environment on the Mental Workload of Train Drivers

Abstract:

A study is carried out to investigate the effects of driving environment on the mental workload of train drivers while driving. The driving task is performed under three environmental conditions, i.e. clear sunny day, rainy day and rainy night driving. Electroencephalography (EEG) measurements are recorded from the Fz and Pz channels of fifteen male subjects aged between 24 to 48 years old. The mean alpha power is monitored as a function of time as this signal reflects the variations in mental workload of the drivers. The results exhibit that the signal pattern for rainy night driving condition is significantly different compared to others. This finding indicates that the train drivers show an increase in mental workload after six minutes of driving under rainy night condition. The results demonstrate a percentage difference in mean alpha power of 37% between daytime and rainy night driving conditions during the early periods of driving. This indicates that the mental workload of train drivers tends to be low with an increased level of sleepiness under such conditions, which are signs of low vigilance.

• Periodical: Advanced Engineering Forum (Volume 10)
• Pages: 93-99
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AEF.10.93
• Online since: December 2013
• Authors: Nurul Izzah Abd Rahman*, Siti Zawiah Md. Dawal, Ardeshir Bahreininejad
• Keywords: EEG, Mental Workload, Simulation Experiments, Train Driving

References

[1] Hwang, S. -l., Yau, Y. -j., Lin, Y. -t., & Chen, J. H. (2007). A Mental Workload Predicator Model for the Design of Pre Alarm Systems. Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics, 4562, 316–323.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-73331-7_34

[2] Ryu, K., & Myung, R. (2005). Evaluation of mental workload with a combined measure based on physiological indices during a dual task of tracking and mental arithmetic. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 35(11), 991-1009.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2005.04.005

[3] Budi J. T., Lal, S., & Fischer, P. (2011). Comparing combinations of EEG activity in train drivers during monotonous driving. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(1), 996-1003.

DOI: 10.1016/j.eswa.2010.07.109

[4] Rail Safety and Standards Board. (2005). Train Driver Workload Principles Guidance Note Train Driver Mental Workload. London: The Institute For Occupational Ergonomics Centre For Rail Human Factors.

[5] Parkes, A. M. (1991). Data Capture Techniques For RTI Usability Evaluation. Paper presented at the DRIVE Conference (1991 : Brussels, Belgium). Advanced telematics in road transport. Vol. II, Brussels, Belgium.

[6] Mayser C, Piechulla W, Weiss K. -E, & König W. (2003, May 07th-09th). Driver workload monitoring. Paper presented at the The 50th-Anniversary Conference of the GfA and the XVII Annual ISOES Conference, Munich.

[7] Verwey, W. B. (2000). On-line driver workload estimation. Effects of road situation and age on secondary task measures. Ergonomics, 43, 187-209.

DOI: 10.1080/001401300184558

[8] De Waard, D. (1996). The measurement of drivers' mental workload. Ph. D, University of Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands.

[9] Lei, S., & Roetting, M. (2011). Influence of Task Combination on EEG Spectrum Modulation for Driver Workload Estimation. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 53(2), 168-179.

DOI: 10.1177/0018720811400601

[10] Rabbi, A. F., Ivanca, K., Putnam, A. V., Musa, A., Thaden, C. B., & Fazel-Rezai, R. (2009, 3-6 Sept. 2009). Human performance evaluation based on EEG signal analysis: A prospective review. Paper presented at the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2009. EMBC 2009. Annual International Conference of the IEEE.

DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2009.5333877

[11] Chen, D., & Vertegaal, R. (2004). Using Mental Load for Managing Interruptions in Physiologically Attentive User Interfaces CHI. Vienna, Austria.

DOI: 10.1145/985921.986103

[12] Gillberg, M., Kecklund, G., & Åkerstedt, T. (1996). Sleepiness and performance of professional drivers in a truck simulator - Comparisons between day and night driving. Journal of Sleep Research, 5(1), 12-15.

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2869.1996.00013.x

[13] Hallvig, D., Anund, A., Fors, C., Kecklund, G., Karlsson, J. G., Wahde, M., & Åkerstedt, T. (2013). Sleepy driving on the real road and in the simulator—A comparison. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 50(0), 44-50.

DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2012.09.033

[14] Andreassi, J. L. (2000). Psychophysiology: Human Behavior and Physiological Response. New Jersey London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale.

[15] De Waard, D., & Brookhuis, K. A. (1997). On the measurement of driver mental workload. Traffic and Transport Psychology: Theory and Application, 161-171.

[16] K. Seen , S. Mohd Tamrin, & G. Meng. (2010). Driving Fatigue and Performance among Occupational Drivers in Simulated Prolonged Driving. Global Journal of Health Science, 2(1).

DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v2n1p167

[17] Nikhil R. Pal, Chien-Yao Chuang, Li-Wei Ko, Chih-Feng Chao, Tzyy-Ping Jung, Sheng-Fu Liang, & Lin, C. -T. (2008).

DOI: 10.1109/ijcnn.2008.4634289

[18] Myrtek, M., Deutschmann-Janicke, E., Strohmaier, H., Zimmermann, W., Lawerenz, S., BrÜGner, G., & MÜLler, W. (1994). Physical, mental, emotional, and subjective workload components in train drivers. Ergonomics, 37(7), 1195-1203.

DOI: 10.1080/00140139408964897

[19] Lowden, A., Anund, A., Kecklund, G., Peters, B., & Åkerstedt, T. (2009). Wakefulness in young and elderly subjects driving at night in a car simulator. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 41(5), 1001-1007.

DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2009.05.014

[20] Otmani, S., Rogé, J., & Muzet, A. (2005). Sleepiness in professional drivers: Effect of age and time of day. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 37(5), 930-937.

DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2005.04.011

[21] McAuliffe, E., Manafa, O., Maseko, F., Bowie, C., & White, E. (2009). Understanding job satisfaction amongst mid-level cadres in Malawi: the contribution of organisational justice. Reproductive Health Matters, 17(33), 80-90.

DOI: 10.1016/s0968-8080(09)33443-6