Exploring the effect of cognitive load in scenarios of daily driving

Felisberti, Fatima M.; Fernandes, Thiago P. · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/s12144-024-06287-9

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Summary

This study investigates the bidirectional relationship between cognitive load and performance in daily commuting scenarios, specifically examining how driving affects subsequent cognitive tasks and how prior cognitive work affects subsequent driving. While extensive research exists on concurrent distractions during driving, little is known about the "spillover" effects of cognitive load from one task to a temporally contiguous, distinct task. The authors hypothesized that moderate cognitive load might modulate performance in subsequent tasks, potentially through the activation of long-lasting attentional processes. The research comprised two studies using a driving simulator. Study 1 examined the effect of a demanding driving period on subsequent cognitive performance, mimicking a home-to-work commute. Ninety-eight participants were assigned to either a Moderate Cognitive Load (MCL) condition, involving a 10-minute simulated drive with a concurrent verbal task, or a Low Cognitive Load (LCL) control condition with no driving. Participants then completed the Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT). Study 2 examined the reverse scenario, mimicking a work-to-home commute. Thirty-one participants completed either a battery of demanding cognitive tests (MCL) or simple alertness tasks (LCL) before performing the same simulated driving task. Driving performance was measured by speed, lane keeping ability, and stock headway (distance from the lead car). The results revealed distinct effects depending on the task order. In Study 1, participants in the MCL condition demonstrated significantly higher accuracy (88%) on the MSIT compared to the LCL condition (78%), despite having slower reaction times. This suggests a speed-accuracy trade-off where prior driving enhanced subsequent cognitive precision. In Study 2, prior cognitive load did not significantly affect driving speed or lane keeping ability. However, participants in the MCL condition maintained a significantly larger distance from the lead car (mean deviation of -11.54 m) compared to the LCL condition (-7.19 m). This increased following distance indicates a more cautious driving behavior following high cognitive demand. The authors conclude that moderate levels of cognitive load can positively modulate performance in timely contiguous tasks, contrary to the expectation that prior load would impair subsequent performance. They propose that this effect may be linked to the activation of supervisory attentional networks that facilitate alertness and adaptable behavior, a phenomenon they term "spillover." The findings suggest that the cognitive demands of commuting may not necessarily degrade subsequent work or driving performance but could instead trigger compensatory mechanisms, such as increased caution or enhanced attentional focus. This exploratory study highlights the need for further research into the interplay between cognitive load and daily commuting, particularly regarding the neural mechanisms underlying these temporal spillover effects.

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Topics

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• mental demand
• cognitive capacity variation
• dual task performance
• road complexity
• cognitive
• workload measurement

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• Empirical Findings: physiological data, behavioral performance data
• Theoretical Contribution: theory or model