How does awareness affect performance in an automotive dual task condition?

Abstract

High levels of Situation Awareness (SA) have been shown to improve performance of an operator in a complex environment. This paper describes an experimental study looking at whether increases in awareness of a non-driving related activity can improve performance in an automotive multitasking condition. 50 participants drove a low-fidelity driving simulator whilst attempting to carry out a number of alternative activities using an in-vehicle interface. The findings demonstrate that increased awareness of the non-driving interface delivers improvements in both driving and non-driving activities. Differences in the driving scenario itself were unable create a difference in perceived workload and SA of the driving activity. Objective measures were sensitive enough to demonstrate effects due to differences in both non-driving task experience and driving scenario under multitasking conditions.