Age-related differences in the cognitive, visual, and temporal demands of in-vehicle information systems
archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified
Summary
Examined age-related differences in the cognitive, visual, and temporal demands of in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) using on-road testing in six 2018 production vehicles (Audi A6, Cadillac CT6, Lincoln Navigator, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Pathfinder, Volvo XC90). 125 participants split into younger (21-36, M=24.8) and older (55-75, M=65.8) cohorts drove a low-density residential route while completing IVIS tasks across four task types (audio entertainment, calling/dialing, text messaging, navigation) and three modes of interaction (voice commands, center console, center stack). A Detection Response Task (DRT) presented via head-mounted LED measured cognitive and visual demand; NASA-TLX captured subjective workload. Older drivers took significantly longer to complete tasks, exhibited slower DRT reaction times, and reported higher subjective workload across all task types and interaction modes. Voice commands and center-stack touchscreen interactions produced the largest age-related cost. Authors conclude that older drivers are most likely to benefit from IVIS but ironically face the greatest distraction risk when using them, with age-related interference scaling with task complexity.
Key finding
Older drivers (55-75) consistently took longer to complete IVIS tasks, were slower to react on the DRT, and reported higher subjective workload than younger drivers (21-36) across all task types and modes of interaction; the age-related demand cost was largest for voice commands and center-stack touchscreen interactions, indicating that interface complexity disproportionately taxes older drivers.
Methodology
instrumented_vehicle
Sample size: 125
Quality score: 5 / 5