Inverting traditional views on human task-processing behavior by focusing on abilities instead of disabilities – a discussion on the functional situation management of drivers to solve demanding situations

Abstract

Due to the well-elaborated limitations of cognitive processing, humans can process only a certain number of tasks in parallel. Notably in the context of driving this poses a serious problem when performing additional tasks while driving. Statistically, drivers perform other tasks while driving in over 50 % of the time but drive approximately 3.8 million kilometers before experiencing a severe accident. Hence, besides the undoubted negative influence of non-driving related tasks on driving, appropriate abilities are required to succeed even in most critical driving situations. Until today, little is known about these abilities. To gain further insight, the present paper dwells on the development of a framework based on elaborated cognitive models. Its central claim concerns proactive functional situation management based on situation assessment and task prioritization. A driving simulation study is reported to support the framework. Further, it is discussed how this approach could be applied to fields of HMI.