The Study of Driver's Brain Activity and Behavior Using fNIRS During Actual Car Driving

Abstract

In this study, based on the measurement of brain activity and the change of accelerator and brake stroke, we tried to grasp the interaction between the driver's reaction and the driver's following behavior at the time when driver watched Variable Message Sign on actual car driving. Specifically, using fNIRS, we analyzed same driver's brain activity and driving behavior during actual car driving, and then we evaluated the interaction of both items. As a result, we confirmed that parietal association cortex and prefrontal area activated in the case of driving with recognition and judgment for the information which a driver collected from the environment during driving. Then it was suggested that it was needed to expand parietal association cortex in order to measure the brain activity. Furthermore, it was suggested that both on and off accelerator stroke were connected with the activity of prefrontal area. As a result, it was suggested that it was valid to confirm the driver's reaction at every steps, such as “recognition”, “judgment”, “behavior”, by means of being approached from a neuroscience.