Mental workload while driving with a Congestion Assistant

New driver support systems are developed and introduced to the market at increasing speed. In conditions of traffic congestion drivers may be supported by a “Congestion Assistant”, a system that combines the features of Congestion Warning System (acoustic warning and gaspedal counterforce) and Stop-and-Go (automatic gaspedal during congestion). To gain understanding of the effects of driving with a Congestion Assistant, mental workload of motor vehicle drivers were registered under different conditions of road traffic densities. Mental workload was measured by means of physiological registrations, i.e. heart rate, a secondary task and with the aid of subjective scaling techniques. The study was carried out in an advanced driving simulator. The results show that driving with the Congestion Assistant while in congestion potentially leads to a decreased driver vigilance, whereas just before congestion starts, i.e. noticeable developing, the system adds to the workload of the driver, increasing stress