Sound Strategies for Safe Driving: Exploring Auditory Interventions to Counteract Passive Driver Fatigue

Cognitive underload may lead to passive driver fatigue in long, repetitive driving scenarios. While secondary tasks facilitated by in-car voice assistants can act as stimulants, they may distract drivers if not properly designed. Our study examined a range of auditory interventions, e.g., listening to Music or Interactive Story Games, intended to boost driver arousal without compromising driving capabilities. Using EEG and EDA to measure physiological responses and driving performance metrics, we assessed the effectiveness of these auditory tasks. The study also examined the impact of varying levels of driver participation (vocal, physical, or passive) with these interventions. Results showed music significantly boosts arousal with minimal impact on driving ability. Additionally, we found that vocal participation yields a more favourable balance between arousal and deterioration in driving performance compared to passive listening or physical participation. Finally, we discuss how these insights could enhance in-car voice assistants to alleviate passive driver fatigue.