Estimation of Driver’s Cognitive Distraction Level Using Pulse Rate Sensor Warning System

• Published in: Springer Series in Design and Innovation
• Main Author: Azman D.S.B.; Makhtar A.K.B.
• Format: Book chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Nature 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85198106806&doi=10.1007%2f978-3-031-60863-6_35&partnerID=40&md5=478673c282e8e26068dba356fff5c784

Cognitive distraction is one of the main factors in road accidents in Malaysia. Cognitive distraction occurs when the driver’s concentration gets carried away by any movements or thoughts that take their mind off from focusing on the primary task. The goal of this project is to study the estimation of driver’s cognitive distraction level using the pulse rate sensor warning system. According to past studies, the quantity of respondents has an impact on the results’ accuracy. To obtain the best average result, more participants are required to gain more accurate data. By designing a pulse rate warning system, 30 participants were participated including 15 males and 15 females of UiTM Shah Alam students. A driver’s pulse rate was detected from the pulse rate sensor placed on the steering wheel of a driving simulator. Then, the pulse read by the sensor analyzed according to the threshold that has been set (60 to 100 beats per minute). While driving, the respondent was given the N-Back Task and the results were evaluated by NASA Task Load Index. The N-Back Task was used to mimic the distractions that might occur when driving on the real road. The data was analyzed by using ANOVA in the IBM SPSS Statistics. When a driver is cognitively distracted, the pulse rate and driving performance were both influenced. The study also found that drivers must exert more effort when cognitively distracted to retain decent driving performance. As a result, when a driver is cognitively distracted, this technology successfully alerts them and improves their driving performance, perhaps reducing the number of road accidents in Malaysia. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.