Large-scale field evaluation of driving performance and ergonomic effects of satellite-based guidance systems

Positive driving performance and ergonomic effects are ascribed to satellite-based automatic guidance systems. Although the literature had provided some information on working-width utilisation, turning-time requirement and steering accuracy, the relevant studies had mostly been carried out on smaller areas of land under experimental conditions. Little information was found on the nearly-always-mentioned reduction in driver workload. A large-scale field trial under practical conditions was carried out in the Czech Republic for the expanded clarification of the driving-performance and ergonomic effects of automatic guidance systems. Various parameters were recorded for 17 drivers with respect to primary tillage, seedbed preparation and sowing both with and without a guidance system. Working widths were between 5 and 15 m, and field sizes between 1.2 and 15.7 ha. The findings showed that driving speeds, turning times and working-width utilisation were in some cases more advantageous with a guidance system, but did not differ statistically significantly. The variations caused by driver, field shape and field margins had a greater influence than the use of guidance systems. Two parameters differed significantly, however. Guidance systems increased the average steering accuracy and delivered a lower heart rate. The study confirmed that guidance systems can deliver positive driving-performance effects and can contribute to driver relief.