Mindful Driving:Analysis of the attention states during simulated driving using fNIRS

Abstract

It is said that we are in a state of mind wandering for approximately 50% of the day. Mind wandering while driving sometimes cause traffic accidents. In order to perform mindful driving, our attention should be appropriately directed toward the objects surrounding the driver, but should not be captured by them. For that reason, it is important to detect mind wandering. In this study, drivers' mind wandering was dened from their behavior during simulated driving and their brain activity was measured and investigated using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Fractional amplitude low-frequency uctuation(fALFF) was used as an indicator of brain activity. From the results, mind wandering while driving can be detected by variations in the steering angle along with brain activity in the forehead.