The behavioral validity of dual-task driving performance in fixed and moving base driving simulators

Driving is an important skill for older adults to maintain an independent lifestyle, and to preserve the quality of life. However, the ability to drive safely in older adults can be compromised by age-related cognitive decline. Performing an additional task during driving (e.g., adjusting the radio) increases cognitive demands and thus might additionally impair driving performance. Cognitive functioning has been shown to be positively related to physical activity/fitness such as cardiovascular and motor coordinative fitness. As such, a higher fitness level might be associated with higher cognitive resources and may therefore benefit driving performance under dual-task conditions. For the first time, the present study investigated whether this association of physical fitness and cognitive functioning causes an indirect relationship between physical fitness and dual-task driving performance through cognitive functions. Data from 120 healthy older adults (age: 69.56 ± 3.62, 53 female) were analyzed. Participants completed tests on cardiovascular fitness (cardiorespiratory capacity), motor coordinative fitness (composite score: static balance, psychomotor speed, bimanual dexterity), and cognitive functions (updating, inhibition, shifting, cognitive processing speed). Further, they performed a virtual car driving scenario where they additionally engaged in cognitively demanding tasks that were modeled after typical real-life activities during driving (typing or reasoning). Structural equation modeling (path analysis) was used to investigate whether cardiovascular and motor coordinative fitness were indirectly associated with lane keeping (i.e., variability in lateral position) and speed control (i.e., average velocity) while dual-task driving via cognitive functions. Both cardiovascular and motor coordinative fitness demonstrated the hypothesized indirect effects on dual-task driving. Motor coordinative fitness showed a significant indirect effect on lane keeping, while cardiovascular fitness demonstrated a trend-level indirect effect on speed control. Moreover, both fitness domains were positively related to different cognitive functions (processing speed and/or updating), and cognitive functions (updating or inhibition), in turn, were related to dual-task driving. These findings indicate that cognitive benefits associated with higher fitness may facilitate driving performance. Given that driving with lower cognitive capacity can result in serious consequences, this study emphasizes the importance for older adults to engage in a physically active lifestyle as it might serve as a preventive measure for driving safety.

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Moving base driving simulators’ potential for carsickness research

Applied Ergonomics ◽

10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102889 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 81 ◽

pp. 102889 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ouren X. Kuiper ◽

Jelte E. Bos ◽

Cyriel Diels ◽

Kia Cammaerts

Keyword(s):

Driving Simulators ◽

Moving Base

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Comparison of Primary and Secondary Task Measures as a Function of Simulated Vehicle Dynamics and Driving Conditions

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/001872087802000211 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 233-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Walter W. Wierwille ◽

James C. Gutmann

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Vehicle Dynamics ◽

Secondary Task ◽

Driving Simulator ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Moving Base ◽

High Workload ◽

Driving Task ◽

Task Measure

In a previously reported experiment involving a moving base driving simulator with computer-generated display, secondary task measures of workload showed significant increases as a function of large changes in vehicle dynamics and disturbance levels. Because the secondary task measures appeared less sensitive than desired, driving performance measures recorded during the same experiment were later analyzed. Particular emphasis in examining the driving performance data was placed on (1) determining the degree of intrusion of the secondary task on the driving task as a function of the independent variables, and (2) on comparing the sensitivity of the primary and secondary task measures. The results showed the secondary task does intrude significantly upon the driving task performance at low workload levels, but that it does not significantly intrude at high workload levels. Also, when the four primary task measures were analyzed for sensitivity to the independent variables, new information was obtained indicating greater sensitivity than is obtained with the single secondary task measure. Steering ratio, for example, is found to affect performance at high disturbance levels—a result not obtained in examining the secondary task by itself. The merits of primary and secondary task performance analysis are discussed, and suggestions are made for future work.

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Stopping Performance in Familiar and Unfamiliar Vehicles

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193128703100716 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 31 (7) ◽

pp. 762-765

Author(s):

Thomas A. Ranney ◽

Nathaniel H. Pulling

Keyword(s):

Motor Vehicle ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Driving Simulators ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Approach Speed ◽

Overall Performance ◽

Driving Range ◽

The One ◽

Performance Research

Lack of vehicle familiarity is a contributing factor in motor-vehicle accidents. It may also contaminate results in experiments where subjects are required to drive unfamiliar vehicles or driving simulators. An instrumented driving range, including a signalized intersection, was developed to evaluate driving performance in subjects' own vehicles. Fourteen drivers completed approximately fifty laps of the one-half mile closed course in their own vehicles and in an unfamiliar passenger van. Their task was to stop at the stopline following the change of the traffic signal from green to yellow. Brake reaction time, smoothness of deceleration, approach speed, and stopping accuracy were recorded. In the unfamiliar van, brake reaction times were faster and drivers were more likely to stop considerably before the stop line than in their own vehicle. Deceleration was slightly smoother in the unfamiliar van. Individual differences in approach speed were stronger than differences associated with vehicles. Overall performance was influenced more by the position of the vehicle at yellow onset than by vehicle familiarity. Results were interpreted as suggesting heightened driver awareness in the unfamiliar vehicle. Implications for the safety of drivers in unfamiliar vehicles are discussed. The use of unfamiliar vehicles in driving performance research and problems of data analysis resulting from the use of drivers in their own vehicles are also discussed.

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Falls Risk and Simulated Driving Performance in Older Adults

Journal of Aging Research ◽

10.1155/2013/356948 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

John G. Gaspar ◽

Mark B. Neider ◽

Arthur F. Kramer

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Response Times ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Unexpected Events ◽

Falls Risk ◽

Simulated Driving ◽

Dual Task Performance

Declines in executive function and dual-task performance have been related to falls in older adults, and recent research suggests that older adults at risk for falls also show impairments on real-world tasks, such as crossing a street. The present study examined whether falls risk was associated with driving performance in a high-fidelity simulator. Participants were classified as high or low falls risk using the Physiological Profile Assessment and completed a number of challenging simulated driving assessments in which they responded quickly to unexpected events. High falls risk drivers had slower response times (~2.1 seconds) to unexpected events compared to low falls risk drivers (~1.7 seconds). Furthermore, when asked to perform a concurrent cognitive task while driving, high falls risk drivers showed greater costs to secondary task performance than did low falls risk drivers, and low falls risk older adults also outperformed high falls risk older adults on a computer-based measure of dual-task performance. Our results suggest that attentional differences between high and low falls risk older adults extend to simulated driving performance.

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Driving Simulator Validity: Some Considerations

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198196155000105 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 1550 (1) ◽

pp. 30-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Nico A. Kaptein ◽

Jan Theeuwes ◽

Richard van der Horst

Keyword(s):

Choice Behavior ◽

Driving Simulator ◽

Image Resolution ◽

Driving Simulators ◽

Lateral Control ◽

Control Behavior ◽

Route Choice Behavior ◽

Study Results ◽

Moving Base ◽

Simulator Study

The validity of driving simulators for behavioral research is discussed. The concept of validity is introduced and explained, and a survey of validation studies follows, in the TNO driving simulator and others, comparing field and simulator study results. Results for mid-level driving simulators show that generally absolute validity of route choice behavior is obtained and relative validity of speed and lateral control behavior is obtained. There is evidence suggesting that for a number of applications the presence of a moving base and possibly a higher image resolution might increase the validity of a driving simulator.

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