Theoretical Review of the Secondary Task Methodology for Evaluating Intelligent Automobile Displays

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the driving research literature in a search for evidence related to secondary task interference on driving. Driving studies employing secondary tasks fall into two broad categories: (a) studies concerned with driver workload, and (b) studies concerned with driver fatigue. A mjority of these studies lack a valid theoretical basis for the application of the secondary task technique and the particular choice of secondary task. Few of them examined mutual interference between secondary tasks and driving. Some studies, however, reported interference, implying the presence of resource competition. This should be of concern to equipment designers.