Identify Mind Wandering Behind the Wheel

Driver distraction is a significant risk factor for traffic crashes. Distraction from secondary tasks has been the basis of much research and legislation. However, the influence of cognitive distraction, or mind wandering (Smallwood & Schooler, 2006), on driver performance has not been as closely studied. The current study used a self-report method to capture the moment-to-moment off-task thoughts, and investigated the influence of mind wandering on behavior and performance in a simulated driving task. Participants performed a car-following task in a simulated low-traffic driving environment, and were asked to press a button mounted on the steering wheel any time they found themselves “zoning out”. Driving performance metrics and oculomotor scanning data were analyzed to compare driving behaviors and performance under attentive versus inattentive mental states. The results showed that mind wandering caused horizontal narrowing of drivers' visual scanning, shifts of lane position, and a decrease in the variability of vehicle velocity. Mind wandering influences driver performance in a way similar to distraction from secondary tasks (e.g., Recarte & Nunes, 2000, 2003).

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• He, Jibo

Contributors dc:contributor

• McCarley, Jason S.

• Mind Wandering
• Driver Distraction
• Eye Movement

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Jibo He

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18439

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/18439