Evaluating the presence of in-vehicle devices on driver performance : methodological issues.

A central concern of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is the effect of in-vehicle devices (e.g. cell phones, navigation systems, radios) on driver performance and safety. As diverse and innovative technologies are designed and implemented for in-vehicle use, questions regarding the presence and use of these devices assume progressively greater importance. Concern for the safety of advanced driver training and require researchers to develop and validate reliable and effective procedures for assessing such effects. This work examines a number of candidate procedures, in particular the evaluation of cognitive workload as a strategy by which such goals might be achieved.