Workload differences between on-road and off-road manoeuvres for motorcyclists

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a study comparing motorcycle manoeuvres on-road (in live traffic) and off-road (in designated test centres). Workload was measured using NASA-RTLX with rider performance used as a secondary measure, and the results are discussed in terms of the different dimensions that were affected by the change in setting. The study found that both faults and workload increased in the on-road condition, with the frustration, performance and time pressure components of workload showing the largest increases. The results may have implications for conducting testing in protected environments, which might not fully reflect the workload associated with on-road manoeuvring.