Abstract
The present experiment was designed to test the merits of nine common workload measures to short duration workload peaks in car driving. To that end, twelve subjects drove an instrumented car and performed either a visual or a mentally loading task for 10 s, 30 s, and 60 s. The data indicate that peaks in visual workload are indicated best by secondary task performance, by a subjective ratings list (RSME), and by steering frequency. Mental workload peaks were indicated best by RSME, and by secondary task performance. The secondary task, steering frequency, and Skin Conductance Response (SCR) frequency appeared relatively sensitive to one type of workload and can be considered diagnostic to the type of workload. (A)