NIRSを用いた自動車運転時の脳機能計測 (運転支援システムによるドライバの負担軽減の評価)

抄録

This study examines effects of driving assistance system on driver's workload by measuring brain activity. Driver's brain activity is measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Whether the reduction of driving workload by Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system can be evaluated from brain activity was discussed through experiments using a driving simulator. Subjects follow a leading vehicle, which has a certain speed pattern including stop and go situations, with and without ACC system. The results revealed that while the outer portions of the frontal lobe were active in connection with driving performance when the subject drove without ACC, no activity related to driving performance was seen with the use of ACC. These results suggest the possibility of evaluating driving-assistance systems through the evaluation of driving workload from measurement of brain activity using NIRS.