Conference Proceeding

An Initial Assessment of the Significance of Task Pacing on Self-Report and Physiological Measures of Workload While Driving

Authors: Bruce Mehler (Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, Cambridge, MA) , Bryan Reimer (Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, Cambridge, MA)

Abstract

In block A of a simulator study, a sample of 38 drivers showed a stepwise increase in heart rate and skin conductance level (SCL) from single task driving and across 3 levels of an auditory presentation – verbal response dual task (n-back), replicating findings from on-road research. Subjective ratings showed a similar stepwise increase, establishing concurrent validity of the physiological indices as measures of workload. In block B, varying the inter-stimulus interval in the intermediate 1-back level of the task resulted in a pattern across self-report workload ratings, heart rate, and SCL suggesting that task pacing may influence effective workload. Further consideration of the impact of task pacing in auditoryverbal in-vehicle applications is indicated.

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How to Cite: Mehler, B. & Reimer, B. (2013) “An Initial Assessment of the Significance of Task Pacing on Self-Report and Physiological Measures of Workload While Driving”, Driving Assessment Conference. 7(2013). doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/drivingassessment.1484