In a small-scaled study the possibility was explored of evaluating the quality of tunnel entrances with physiological and behavioural measures. The physiological measures were heart rate (ECG), eye-blinks (EOG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and respiration rate. In addition, driving speed and steering wheel reversals (SRR) were registered. In the experiment, six subjects entered the Coentunnel and the Zeeburgertunnel a number of times from both sides yielding a total of four tunnel entrances. The results show that eye blink rate decreased when approaching the tunnel entrances and that it differentiated between the entrances of both tunnels. This affect also emerged in the time of the last eye blink in front of the tunnel. The other measures did not show that tunnel entrances were approached. Future research should explore the merits of other indicators of visual workload for evaluating tunnel entrances. (A)
Abstract