Drivers’ physiological response and emotional evaluation in the noisy environment of the control cabin of a shield tunneling machine

Abstract

Being a driver in the control cabin of a shield tunneling machine is a high-pressure career. The physiological responses and mood swings of a driver are vital to his occupational health and construction safety; however, a driver’s emotional intensity and physiological reactions in a noisy environment have not been considered. This study aims to investigate how a driver’s emotional intensity and physiological responses in a noisy environment can be altered. On-site measurements were conducted in an urban metro system, and an emotional survey was performed. A wearable device was used as a physiological measurement tool to obtain heart rate data from a driver. Results indicate that the driver pays considerable attention to the noisy environment. The sound pressure level in the control cabin was in the range of 96.8–98.7 dBA. The driver’s emotion is influenced when the sound pressure level increases to 94.5 dBA. The relationship was significant between the emotional intensity and the sound pressure level. The fear was highly evident with the sound pressure level increase given that the drivers were concerned about operational errors. The heart rate of the driver was significantly influenced in the noisy environment for a long time. The increased heart rate at 92–96 dBA was faster than at other ranges of sound pressure level. The emotional intensity had impacts on the heart rate of the driver. The disliking influenced the heart rate more obviously than the other two emotional types. The driver’s emotion has a relationship with social background.