Driving performance, adaptation, and cognitive workload costs of logo panel detection as mediated by driver age

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of on-road visual sign usage on young (≤22 years), middle-aged (23–64 years), and elderly (65+ years) driver performance, adaptive vehicle control behavior and mental workload. Eight simulated highway driving scenarios (the primary task) were presented along with an embedded secondary task of familiar business logo sign identification. Driver workload was manipulated by varying logo panel counts on service signs, including 6-and 9-panels. Results revealed comparable driving performance among the 9-and 6-logo conditions but significant differences in sign identification among age groups. Elderly drivers produced significantly lower sign identification accuracy than other age groups (at 54–57%). Both elderly and young drivers demonstrated significantly higher cognitive workload (reduced blink duration) in response to secondary task demands as compared to middle-aged drivers. The workload during sign identification led to significantly greater elderly adaptation behaviors (higher speed reductions) and performance degradations (greater lane deviations).