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This thesis examines the impact of age on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Mental Workload (MWL) during driving with secondary tasks—a key area in driver safety research. The study involved 40 participants from Melbourne’s western suburbs, stratified into three age groups:
young (18–29), middle-aged (30–59), and older adults (60+). Each participant took part in a controlled driving experiment using a 2017 Nissan X-Trail equipped with cruise control, driving through real-world routes that included a mix of traffic conditions at 60 and 70 km/h speed zones.
Participants engaged in six types of secondary tasks: hands-free phone calls, phone conversations, GPS address input, GPS address changes, talking with a passenger, and eating from a can. These tasks were selected to reflect common real-world distractions. HRV data were collected using a Polar H10 device connected to the Elite HRV app, offering physiological insights into autonomic nervous system activity. Subjective MWL was assessed using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA TLX), which measures six workload dimensions: mental, physical, and temporal demand, effort, performance, and frustration.
Findings revealed clear age-related differences. Older drivers experienced higher MWL and more physiological strain, particularly during complex tasks at higher speeds, indicating increased safety risks. Younger drivers showed greater multitasking ability, with more stable HRV and lower MWL. Middle-aged drivers displayed intermediate results.
The study underscores the need for age-specific interventions and vehicle technologies—like automated GPS systems and adaptive alert systems—to minimize manual and cognitive distractions. It also calls for policies that consider age-related cognitive and physiological
limitations to promote safer driving.
Conducted under real-world conditions, this research significantly contributes to human factors in transportation by offering evidence-based strategies to reduce risks and support adaptive, safer driving environments across age groups |
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