EEG-based assessment in novice and experienced drivers' braking behaviour during simulated driving

Abstract

The driver is an essential factor in the traffic system, and inexperienced drivers are special high-risk groups. We used electroencephalography (EEG) and reaction time to quantify the differences between experienced and novice drivers' risk perception and braking behaviour in a driving simulator. Twenty-seven participants were asked to drive through a 12-km dynamic scenario with EEG signals recorded simultaneously. There are mainly four frequency bands for human EEG activity: alpha, beta, theta, and delta. The power spectral density (PSD) of beta activity was analysed because it dominated when drivers braked in an emergency. The results indicate that the indicators of β activity and reaction time discriminated between the novice and experienced drivers. The reaction time of drivers was related to the increment of the β activity, indicating that the driver's risk perception stage will affect their risk reaction. The study provides us with the operating performance and internal physiological activities of drivers in the braking process.