Effects of vibration on occupant driving performance under simulated driving conditions.
Although much research has been devoted to the characterization of the effects of whole-body vibration on seated occupants' comfort, drowsiness induced by vibration has received less attention to date. There are also little validated measurement methods available to quantify whole body vibration-induced drowsiness. Here, the effects of vibration on drowsiness were investigated. Twenty male volunteers were recruited for this experiment. Drowsiness was measured in a driving simulator, before and after 30-min exposure to vibration. Gaussian random vibration, with 1-15 Hz frequency bandwidth was used for excitation. During the driving session, volunteers were required to obey the speed limit of 100 kph and maintain a steady position on the left-hand lane. A deviation in lane position, steering angle variability, and speed deviation were recorded and analysed. Alternatively, volunteers rated their subjective drowsiness by Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) scores every 5-min. Following 30-min of exposure to vibration, a significant increase of lane deviation, steering angle variability, and KSS scores were observed in all volunteers suggesting the adverse effects of vibration on human alertness level.
School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia; University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: s3356158@student.rmit.edu.au.
Amzar
A
Azizan
School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
M
M
Fard
School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Michael F
MF
Azari
School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Reza
R
Jazar
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012894:Sleep Stages; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014851:Wakefulness; D055815:Young Adult
Drowsiness; Human vibration; Lane deviation; Speed deviation; Steering angle