Clarification of Frequency Bands Affecting Attentional Mechanisms Using Event-Related Potentials

Abstract

In recent years, with the spread of electric vehicles, impressions of the sound of automobiles have changed. As automated driving becomes more widespread, we assume that a decrease in cognitive load will make it easier for drivers to pay attention to vehicle sounds, thereby increasing their discomfort. This study focused on selective attention and aimed to quantify the attentional mechanisms of vehicle sounds from event-related potentials (ERPs). In addition, it is necessary to identify the characteristics of vehicle sounds that attract attention and awareness more easily, reduce unwanted vehicle sounds, and make them more pleasant from a neurophysiological perspective. In this study, an experiment was conducted to measure brain responses while driving to identify the characteristics of sounds that are likely to attract attention, by observing changes in ERPs for different frequency bands. These results may help investigators examine practical approaches to reduce vehicle sounds and improve comfort within car interiors.