Effects of Driver Task-related Fatigue on Driving Performance

In this study, passive task-related fatigue effects on highway driving were analyzed by means of driving simulator experiments. Ten drivers were asked to drive in various environments in the morning (9:00-11:00 a.m.) and early afternoon (1:00-3:00 p.m.). Mean of Absolute Steering Error and Standard Deviation of Lateral Position, calculated on sub-intervals of 4 minutes, were analysed as response variables. The results confirmed the negative influence of the duration of driving tasks and circadian effects on driving performance, increasing the likelihood of “near misses” and accidents.