Effects of In-Vehicle Messaging on Mental Workload During Driving Through Work Zones

Driving through work zones is especially risky. This study investigates a potential strategy for warning drivers of important events during work zone driving using in-vehicle smartphone messages. Participants used a driving simulator to drive through two different work zones. Work zone events were communicated either by roadside signage, through audio messages or through audio-visual messages on a smartphone placed either on the dashboard or the passenger seat of the vehicle. Subjective measures of mental workload and usability, along with event recall, were recorded for each drive. The overall pattern of results suggests reduced mental workload and better usability for in-vehicle smartphone messages. In-vehicle message systems may be a promising approach for improving driver safety in the work zone.