Highly automated driving: the role of visuo-attentional and executive abilities in take-over success
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1685223
URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12702763/pdf/
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Summary
Schnebelen, Mars, Charron, Mecheri & Lobjois (Frontiers in Psychology, 2025) examined which individual visuo-attentional and executive abilities predict takeover success after a period of highly automated simulator driving. N=118 participants aged 20-60 faced a critical lane-change-to-avoid-obstacle takeover with surrounding faster traffic, and completed a battery of cognitive tests (working memory, inhibitory control, attentional flexibility, planning) and visuo-attentional tests (visuomanual coordination, multiple object avoidance, multiple object tracking) plus age and annual mileage. Partial least-squares classification models were compared. The best model achieved 70.79% accuracy and identified spatial working memory (CORSI), visuomanual coordination, and driving experience (annual mileage) as positive predictors, while higher inhibitory control (Flanker, Stop-Signal) was negatively associated with takeover success, possibly because high-inhibition participants over-engaged with the non-driving task.
Key finding
Takeover success in highly automated driving is best predicted by spatial working memory, visuomanual tracking ability, and annual mileage, while strong inhibitory control paradoxically reduces takeover success, likely because it locks attention onto the secondary task.
Methodology
simulator
Sample size: 118
Quality score: 5 / 5