Repeated Thermal Stimulation by Cabin Temperature for Keeping Arousal and Thermal Comfort of Driver

Abstract

Indoor temperature affects the arousal level and thermal comfort of drivers. In this study, we aim to prevent the drowsy state and to improve the thermal comfort of drivers in driving for a long time using changes in ambient temperature in cabin. Targeting the scene of driving for 90 minutes, the hypothesis that repeated thermal stimulation to the driver can prevent the decrease of arousal level and thermal comfort of the driver was tested. We investigated the drowsiness level, thermal comfort based on subjective evaluation, and physiological parameters of the driver in the condition of repeated thermal stimulation for 90 min with driving in a simulator. As a result, the drowsiness level with a scale from 0 (alert) to 4 (extremely drowsy) was kept below 1 (slightly drowsy), and the comfort sensation with a scale from -3 (very uncomfortable) to 0 (comfortable) was maintained above -1 (slightly uncomfortable). These results suggest that repeated thermal stimulation is valid to prevent the decrease of arousal level and thermal comfort of the driver.