Citation

Li LP, Liu ZG, Zhu HY, Zhu L, Huang YC. Ergonomics 2019; 62(3): 406-419.

Affiliation

Human Factors & Ergonomics Lab , School of Urban Rail Transportation, Shanghai University of Engineering Science , Shanghai , 201620 , P.R. China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2018.1535093

PMID

30307379

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) combined with heart rate variability indices, for the evaluation of the mental workload of urban rail transit drivers under simulated driving conditions, particularly during task engagement and disengagement. Experienced metro drivers wearing fNIRS monitoring systems were asked to drive for 90 min in a professional metro driving simulator. Workload stimulus tasks were added and an n-back task (n = 3) was implemented to induce workload in the simulated driving experiment. Experimental results indicate that fNIRS is sensitive to mental workload and reliable for discriminating the degree of mental workload. Research findings demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of fNIRS as a tool for real-time evaluating and monitoring driver mental workload along with task factors from a perspective of brain activations during simulated or actual driving. Practitioner Summary: This study provides evidence for the potential of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for the evaluation of the mental workload of urban rail transit drivers under simulated driving conditions. The first fNIRS application to mental workload evaluation in the field of urban rail transportation helps companies develop reasonable shiftwork schedule and ensure operation safety.

Language: en

Keywords

Driving Simulator; Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS); Mental Workload; Oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb); Urban Rail Transit Driver