Citation

Galy E, Paxion J, Berthelon C. Ergonomics 2018; 61(4): 517-527.

Affiliation

IFSTTAR , TS2, LMA , F-13300 , Salon de Provence , France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2017.1369583

PMID

28817353

Abstract

The distinction between several components of mental workload is often made in the ergonomics literature. However, measurements used are often established from a global score, notably with several questionnaires that originally reflect several dimensions. The present study tested the effect of driving situation complexity, experience and subjective levels of tension and alertness on each dimension of the NASA-TLX questionnaire of workload, in order to highlight the potential influence of intrinsic, extraneous and germane load factors. The results showed that, in complex situation, mental, temporal and physical demand (load dimensions) increased, and that novice drivers presented high physical demand when subjective tension was low and low own performance. Moreover, increase of mental and physical demand increased effort. It thus appears essential to distinguish the different components of mental workload used in the NASA-TLX questionnaire. Practitioner summary Currently, global score of NASA-TLX questionnaire is used to measure mental workload. Here, we considered independently each dimension of NASA-TLX, and results showed that mental load factors (driving situation complexity, experience, subjective tension and alertness) had a different effect on dimensions, questioning global score use to evaluate workload.

Language: en

Keywords

alertness; driving; experience; load dimensions; mental workload