Short answer

Designers of partially automated driving systems should explore the integration of non-driving related secondary tasks as a strategy to combat driver vigilance decrement.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (2023)
Method: Experimental study
Sample: 117 participants
Evidence: Moderate effect

Incorporating non-driving related secondary tasks during periods of partial automation can help maintain driver vigilance by increasing engagement and counteracting the natural decline in attention over time. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Using Experimental study with 117 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers of partially automated driving systems should explore the integration of non-driving related secondary tasks as a strategy to combat driver vigilance decrement.

Study

Human FactorsRecentModerate effect

Non-driving secondary tasks can mitigate driver vigilance decline in partially automated systems.

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society · 2023

Key Findings

01A vigilance decrement was observed over time across all conditions, characterized by slower response times, reduced hazard detection, and increased subjective stress.
02The non-driving related secondary task condition showed a mitigated vigilance decrement compared to both the driving-related secondary task and the control conditions.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers of partially automated driving systems should explore the integration of non-driving related secondary tasks as a strategy to combat driver vigilance decrement.

How to apply

When designing interfaces for partially automated vehicles, consider offering optional, engaging secondary tasks (e.g., simple games, curated audio content) that can be easily accessed and dismissed, and which are designed to periodically re-engage the driver's attention.

Project actions

01When designing a system for monitoring, consider how to keep the user engaged over long periods.
02Think about what kind of secondary tasks would be engaging but not distracting from the main task.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate whether secondary tasks can mitigate the vigilance decrement experienced by drivers during simulated partially automated driving.

MethodExperimental study

ProcedureParticipants engaged in a 45-minute simulated partially automated driving task, requiring them to identify hazardous vehicles. They were divided into three groups: one performing a driving-related secondary task, one performing a non-driving related secondary task, and a control group with no secondary task. Performance metrics and subjective stress levels were recorded.

Sample117 participants

ContextAutomotive design, Human-Computer Interaction, Driver monitoring systems

Variables

IVType of secondary task (driving-related, non-driving related, none)

DVResponse time, hazard detection rate, response sensitivity, subjective stress

CVDuration of driving task (45 minutes), simulated driving environment, core monitoring task requirements

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Uses a controlled experimental design with multiple conditions.
+Measures both objective performance and subjective experience.

Limitations

The simulation might not perfectly replicate real-world driving. The chosen secondary task might not be universally engaging.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by objective performance measures and subjective reports. Reliability would depend on the consistency of the simulation and participant responses.

Think critically

How might the 'ideal' non-driving related secondary task differ based on the specific context of the partially automated driving system (e.g., highway vs. urban driving)?

Design Principles

"Task engagement, not just task load, is critical for maintaining vigilance in monitoring scenarios."

As vehicles become more automated, drivers are required to monitor the system and the road, a task prone to vigilance decrement. This research suggests that strategic integration of engaging, but non-driving related, secondary tasks can be a practical countermeasure to ensure drivers remain attentive and ready to intervene when necessary.

What This Means for Your Design

When cars drive themselves a lot, drivers get bored and stop paying attention. Doing something fun but not related to driving (like a simple game) can help drivers stay alert.

How to use in your project

1.This study can inform the design of your user interface by suggesting features that help maintain user engagement during monitoring tasks.
2.You can use the findings to justify the inclusion of specific interactive elements in your design.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that driver vigilance declines significantly during prolonged periods of partial automation. A study by Mishler and Chen (2023) found that incorporating non-driving related secondary tasks, such as simple games, helped to mitigate this vigilance decrement by increasing driver engagement. This suggests that for systems requiring driver monitoring, designing opportunities for engaging, yet non-distracting, secondary activities could be a valuable strategy to enhance safety and performance.

Source

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Boring But Demanding: Using Secondary Tasks to Counter the Driver Vigilance Decrement for Partially Automated Driving

journal · 2023

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about non-driving secondary tasks can mitigate driver vigilance decline in partially automated systems?: Designers of partially automated driving systems should explore the integration of non-driving related secondary tasks as a strategy to combat driver vigilance decrement. Evidence: Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (2023).
Why does "Non-driving secondary tasks can mitigate driver vigilance decline in partially automated systems." matter for design?: As vehicles become more automated, drivers are required to monitor the system and the road, a task prone to vigilance decrement. This research suggests that strategic integration of engaging, but non-driving related, secondary tasks can be a practical countermeasure to ensure drivers remain attentive and ready to intervene when necessary.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers of partially automated driving systems should explore the integration of non-driving related secondary tasks as a strategy to combat driver vigilance decrement.
What were the main findings?: A vigilance decrement was observed over time across all conditions, characterized by slower response times, reduced hazard detection, and increased subjective stress.. The non-driving related secondary task condition showed a mitigated vigilance decrement compared to both the driving-related secondary task and the control conditions.
What research method was used?: Experimental study with 117 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing interfaces for partially automated vehicles, consider offering optional, engaging secondary tasks (e.g., simple games, curated audio content) that can be easily accessed and dismissed, and which are designed to periodically re-engage the driver's attention.
What are the limitations?: The study was conducted in a simulated environment, which may not fully replicate real-world driving complexities. The duration of the task was limited to 45 minutes.