Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neuroergonomics Behind the Wheel: Neural Correlates of Driving

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Neuroergonomics

Part of the book series: Cognitive Science and Technology ((CSAT))

Abstract

Each year around the world, approximately 1.25 million lives are lost in fatal vehicle crashes. This statistic equates to 3,434 deaths per day. In addition, another 20–50 million people are injured or disabled in crashes (Association for Safe International Road Travel 2002). This chapter provides a review of studies that utilized neurocognitive methods to study how a driver’s brain functions to support various tasks while driving. These changes in brain activity can show how secondary tasks, distractions, and substances degrade driver performance and increase crash risks. The neural techniques analyzed in this chapter include electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Most participants for these studies were in their mid-20s, except for a few in which the study’s purpose was to analyze driving performance between age groups. Given the difficulty in collecting neural activity data while a driver is on the road, most studies utilized driving simulation as opposed to on-road driving. Current findings suggest a critical role of frontal regions of the brain in driving. In addition, this chapter analyzes the effects that independent variables added to the driving task have on the organizational planning levels—strategical, tactical, and operational planning along with the brain activity that accompanies this planning. Lastly, the chapter provides a discussion of limitations of this literature and future directions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahn, S., Nguyen, T., Jang, H., Kim, J. G., & Jun, S. C. (2016). Exploring neuro-physiological correlates of drivers mental fatigue caused by sleep deprivation using simultaneous EEG, ECG, and fNIRS data. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aslin, R. N., & Mehler, J. (2005). Near-infrared spectroscopy for functional studies of brain activity in human infants: promise, prospects, and challenges. Journal of biomedical optics, 10(1), 011009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Association for Safe International Road Travel. (2002). Road Safety Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2019, from https://www.asirt.org/safe-travel/road-safety-facts/.

  • Battistella, G., Fornari, E., Thomas, A., Mall, J. F., Chtioui, H., Appenzeller, M., … & Giroud, C. (2013). Weed or wheel! FMRI, behavioural, and toxicological investigations of how cannabis smoking affects skills necessary for driving. PLoS one, 8(1), e52545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernardi, G., Ricciardi, E., Sani, L., Gaglianese, A., Papasogli, A., Ceccarelli, R., … Pietrini, P. (2013). How Skill Expertise Shapes the Brain Functional Architecture: An fMRI Study of Visuo-Spatial and Motor Processing in Professional Racing-Car and Naïve Drivers. PLoS ONE, 8(10).

    Google Scholar 

  • Blana, E. (1996). A survey of driving research simulators around the world. Working Paper. Institute of Transport Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boas, G. (2014, October 28). The birth of an academic society. Retrieved March 25, 2019, from https://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/news/141028/the-birth-of-an-academic-society.

  • Brooks, J. R., Passaro, A. D., Kerick, S. E., Garcia, J. O., Franaszczuk, P. J., & Vettel, J. M. (2018). Overlapping brain network and alpha power changes suggest visuospatial attention effects on driving performance. Behavioural Neuroscience, 132(1), 23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T., Johnson, R., & Milavetz, G. (2013). Identifying periods of drowsy driving using EEG. Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine, 57, 99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowyer, S. M., Hsieh, L., Moran, J. E., Chiang, Y. R., Young, R. A., & Tepley, N. (2004, August 8–12). Neural correlates of event related distractions during a driving task using MEG. In Biomag 2004: Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Biomagnetism: Boston, Massachusetts, USA (p. 215). Biomag 2004 Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowyer, S. M., Hsieh, L., Moran, J. E., Young, R. A., Manoharan, A., Liao, C. J., et al. (2009). Conversation effects on neural mechanisms underlying reaction time to visual events while viewing a driving scene using MEG. Brain Research, 1251, 151–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowyer, S. M., Moran, J. E., Seaman, S., Young, R. A., Sullivan, J., Farjam, R., … & Hsieh, L. (2008). Language processes during overt and covert speech in a simulated driving task. In Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Biomagnetism, Sapporo, Japan (pp. 25–29).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruno, J. L., Baker, J. M., Gundran, A., Harbott, L. K., Stuart, Z., Piccirilli, A. M., … Reiss, A. L. (2018). Mind over motor mapping: driver response to changing vehicle dynamics. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calhoun, V. D., Pekar, J. J., & Pearlson, G. D. (2004). Alcohol intoxication effects on simulated driving: Exploring alcohol-dose effects on Brain activation using functional MRI. Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(11), 2097–2107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, M. H., Kim, H. S., Yoon, H. J., Lee, J. C., Baek, J. H., Choi, J. S., … & Chung, S. C. (2017). Increase in brain activation due to sub-tasks during driving: fMRI study using new MR-compatible driving simulator. Journal of physiological anthropology, 36(1), 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chung, S., Choi, M., Kim, H., You, N., Hong, S., Lee, J., … Kim, H. (2014). Effects of distraction task on driving: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, 2971–2977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, E. (2014). MEG matters: MIT’s new magnetoencephalography lab delivers results. McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT.

    Google Scholar 

  • FakhrHosseini, M., Jeon, M., & Bose, R. (2015, September). Estimation of drivers’ emotional states based on neuroergonmic equipment: An exploratory study using fNIRS. In Adjunct Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications (pp. 38–43). ACM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, M., Giannini, I., Sideri, G., & Zanette, E. (1985). Continuous non invasive monitoring of human brain by near infrared spectroscopy. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Oxygen Transport to Tissue VII, 873–882.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foy, H. J., & Chapman, P. (2018). Mental workload is reflected in driver behaviour, physiology, eye movements and prefrontal cortex activation. Applied Ergonomics, 73, 90–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foy, H. J., Runham, P., & Chapman, P. (2016). Prefrontal cortex activation and young driver behaviour: a fNIRS study. PLoS ONE, 11(5), e0156512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fort, A., Martin, R., Jacquet-Andrieu, A., Combe-Pangaud, C., Daligault, S., Foliot, G., & Delpuech, C. (2010). Attention and processing of relevant visual information while simulated driving: A MEG study. Brain Research, 117–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Getzmann, S., Arnau, S., Karthaus, M., Reiser, J. E., & Wascher, E. (2018). Age-related differences in pro-active driving behaviour revealed by EEG measures. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gharagozlou, F., Saraji, G. N., Mazloumi, A., Nahvi, A., Nasrabadi, A. M., Foroushani, A. R., … Samavati, M. (2015). Detecting driver mental fatigue based on EEG alpha power changes during simulated driving. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 1693–1700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grohol, J. M., Psy, D. (2018). What is functional near-infrared spectroscopy? PsychCentral.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haak, M., Bos, S., Panic, S., & Rothkrantz, L. (2009) Detecting stress using eye blinks and brain activity from eeg signals. In Proceeding of the 1st driver car interaction and interface (DCII2008) (pp. 35–60).

    Google Scholar 

  • Herff, C., Heger, D., Fortmann, O., Hennrich, J., Putze, F., & Schultz, T. (2014). Mental workload during n-back task—quantified in the prefrontal cortex using fNIRS. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hung, Y., Vetivelu, A., Hird, M. A., Yan, M., Tam, F., Graham, S. J., et al. (2014). Using fMRI virtual-reality technology to predict driving ability after brain damage: A preliminary report. Neuroscience Letters, 558, 41–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jo, J., Kim, H., Chung, S., & Choi, M. (2019). BOLD signal change during driving with addition task using fMRI. Research of Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joy, S., Fein, D., Kaplan, E., & Freedman, M. (2001). Quantifying qualitative features of block design performance among healthy older adults. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 16(2), 157–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Just, M. A., Keller, T. A., & Cynkar, J. (2008). A decrease in brain activation associated with driving when listening to someone speak. Brain Research, 1205, 70–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karthaus, M., Wascher, E., & Getzmann, S. (2018). Proactive vs. reactive car driving: EEG evidence for different driving strategies of older drivers. Plos One, 13(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M. J., & Hong, K. (2015). Passive BCI based on drowsiness detection: An fNIRS study. School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University. Retrieved March 6, 2019.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H., Choi, M., Yoon, H., Kim, H., Jeoung, U., Park, S., … Lee, B. (2014). Cerebral activation and lateralization due to the cognition of a various driving speed difference: An fMRI study. Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, 1133–1139. Retrieved March 6, 2019.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. Y., Jeong, C. H., Jung, M. J., Park, J. H., & Jung, D. H. (2013). Highly reliable driving workload analysis using driver electroencephalogram (EEG) activities during driving. International Journal of Automotive Technology, 14(6), 965–970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D. H., Liu, Q., Yuan, W., & Liu, H. X. (2010). Relationship between fatigue driving and traffic accident. Journal of traffic and transportation engineering (Xi’an, Shaanxi), 10(2), 104–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, T., Lin, Y., Gao, Y., & Zhong, F. (2018). Longtime driving induced cerebral hemodynamic elevation and behavior degradation as assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy and a voluntary attention test. Journal of Biophotonics, 11(12), e201800160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, C., Chen, S., Chiu, T., Lin, H., & Ko, L. (2011). Spatial and temporal EEG dynamics of dual-task driving performance. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 8(1), 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, C., Wu, R., Jung, T., Liang, S., & Huang, T. (2005). Estimating driving performance based on EEG spectrum analysis. EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing, 2005(19), 521368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mardi, Z., Ashtiani, S. N., & Mikaili, M. (2011). EEG-based drowsiness detection for safe driving using chaotic features and statistical tests. Journal of Medical Signals and Sensors, 130–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meda, S. A., Calhoun, V. D., Astur, R. S., Turner, B. M., Ruopp, K., & Pearlson, G. D. (2009). Alcohol dose effects on brain circuits during simulated driving: An fMRI study. Human Brain Mapping, 30(4), 1257–1270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Navarro, J., Osiurak, F., & Reynaud, E. (2018). Neuroergonomics of car driving: A critical meta-analysis of neuroimaging data on the human brain behind the wheel. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, T., Ahn, S., Jang, H., Jun, S. C., & Kim, J. G. (2017). Utilization of a combined EEG/NIRS system to predict driver drowsiness. Scientific Reports, 7(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oka, N., Yoshino, K., Yamamoto, K., Takahashi, H., Li, S., Sugimachi, T., … Kato, T. (2015). Greater activity in the frontal cortex on left curves: a vector-based fNIRS study of left and right curve driving. PLos One, 10(5).

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrier, J., Jongen, S., Vuurman, E., Bocca, M., Ramaekers, J., & Vermeeren, A. (2016). Driving performance and EEG fluctuations during on-the-road driving following sleep deprivation. Biological Psychology, 121, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan, A. K., Hu, X. S. F., Buckley, L., & Bingham, C. R. (2015). Pre-frontal cortex activity of male drivers in the presence of passengers during simulated driving: an exploratory functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) study.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakihara, K., Hirata, M., Ebe, K., Kimura, K., Ryu, S. Y., Kono, Y., … Yorifuji, S. (2014). Cerebral oscillatory activity during simulated driving using MEG. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasai, S., Boly, M., Mensen, A., & Tononi, G. (2016). Functional split brain in a driving/listening paradigm. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schweizer, T. A., Kan, K., Hung, Y., Tam, F., Naglie, G., & Graham, S. J. (2013). Brain activity during driving with distraction: An immersive fMRI study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorkin, J. (2017). Getting into brain waves: History and resources. Retrieved March 25, 2019 from https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/getting-brainwaves-history-and-resources.

  • The Columbia Encyclopedia. (2019). Internal-combustion engine. Retrieved from https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/technology/technology-terms-and-concepts/internal-combustion-engine.

  • Touryan, J., Apker, G., Lance, B. J., Kerick, S. E., Ries, A. J., & Mcdowell, K. (2014). Estimating endogenous changes in task performance from EEG. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsunashima, H., & Yanagisawa, K. (2009). Measurement of Brain Function of Car Driver Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Unni, A., Ihme, K., Jipp, M., & Rieger, J. (2018). Corrigendum: Assessing the drivers current level of working memory load with high density functional near-infrared spectroscopy: A realistic driving simulator study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uttal, W. R. (2002). Précis of the new phrenology: The limits of localizing cognitive processes in the brain. Brain and mind, 3(2), 221–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vrba, J., & Robinson, S. E. (2001). Signal processing in magnetoencephalography. Methods, 25(2), 249–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, T. M., & Mann, R. E. (2018). Harm reduction and drug-impaired driving: Sharing the road?

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshino, K., Oka, N., Yamamoto, K., Takahashi, H., & Kato, T. (2013). Functional brain imaging using near-infrared spectroscopy during actual driving on an expressway. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Macie Ware & Chang S. Nam

  2. Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Jing Feng

Authors
  1. Macie Ware
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jing Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chang S. Nam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chang S. Nam .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Chang S. Nam

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ware, M., Feng, J., Nam, C.S. (2020). Neuroergonomics Behind the Wheel: Neural Correlates of Driving. In: Nam, C. (eds) Neuroergonomics. Cognitive Science and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34784-0_18

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation