Assessing the Effects of Landmarks and Routes on Neuro-Cognitive Load Using Virtual Environment

Abstract

AbstractThe study aims to determine whether landmarks and routes influence navigational efficiency. In this study, 79 subjects participated in the experiments, and we evaluated their cognitive loads based on the generated psychophysiological measures and performance features from the driving system. The virtual reality system recorded the participant’s heart rate, eye gaze, pupil size, as well as the driving performance metrics. The participants were presented with different landmarks (sufficient and insufficient landmarks) and routes (easy and difficult routes) to help them reach their respective destinations. An analytic strategy method was employed to measure neuro-cognitive load for user classifications. The participants were divided into two groups, each group having two sessions. Each session had either sufficient landmarks or insufficient landmarks. The results showed that insufficient landmarks and difficult routes elicited an increase in heart rate and pupil size, which caused the participants to commit more mistakes. It also showed that easy routes with sufficient landmarks achieved higher-navigation efficiency. These results would help improve the use of landmarks and the design of the driving routes. It could also be used to analyze traffic safety by utilizing the driver's cognition and performance.KeywordsCognitive loadDriving simulatorPhysiological measuresNavigation efficiencyVirtual reality