Non-driving-related tasks, workload, and takeover performance in highly automated driving contexts

This study investigates the influence of non-driving-related task (NDRT) on takeover performance in a highly automated driving (HAD) context and the effect of workload on driver's takeover performance. A driving simulator was used to evaluate how well a driver resumes control of a vehicle after being in a HAD situation during which they performed a NDRT. For both the visual performance and takeover capability, there was a significant difference based on the task carried out; however, the reaction times when reaching for the steering wheel did not differ among the tasks. The result on workload demonstrate that NDRT type has significant effect while a positive correlation between the performance dimension and takeover was found. In addition, takeover performance for interaction with the entertainment console exhibits a significantly positive correlation, whereas watching a video or interacting with a smartphone exhibits mostly a significantly negative correlation with workload dimensions. These results provide implication on the effect of tasks desired and enabled to be performed by drivers in HAD and its influence on the transition of control. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved