Citation

Lauer AR, Suhr VW. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1957; 152: 15-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1957, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A special study was conducted on the effect of refreshment pauses on driving efficiency. Three hours were spent behind the wheel in a simulated driving situation and the remainder of the time was spect in orienting and testing the subjects on a battery of efficiency tests. The method used was that of a controlled experimental approach using matched groups to determine the nature of their performance in a simulated driving situation continuing for a 3-hour period. The experimental procedure consisted of administering a series of efficiency tests to each driver before and after the simulated driving phase of the study. Included among the tests were the following: (1) the steadiness test, (2) choice reaction time, (3) coordination, (4) blood pressure, and (5) galvanic skin response, pulse, and respiration. Two groups of 28 and 25 subjects were given a practice run of three hours simulated driving on the drivometer which was installed in a special air-conditioned booth. One group of drivers was served tea just before the driving phase of the study and again during a 15-minute rest period. After one and one-half hours performance. The other group received no rest pause or refreshments. The findings seemed to support the tentative conclusion that the general effect of the tea and the pause combined has a quieting effect which is reflected in: (1) the tendency to work a little harder, (2) sustained alertness, and (3) greater efficiency at the problem at hand.