The effects of sound types and volumes on simulated driving performance, simple vigilance and heart rate

Dalton, Brian Harry (2006) The effects of sound types and volumes on simulated driving performance, simple vigilance and heart rate. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of the current thesis was twofold: 1) to review the literature while linking the effects of background noise, music and driving performance and 2) to determine the effects of sound type and volume and gender on driving-related activities. Driving involves great requirements for attention and concentration while performing concurrent tasks (i.e. listening to music, conversing). It has been previously demonstrated that loud industrial noise detrimentally affects human performance. Meanwhile, there exist inconsistent results on music and performance. Background hard rock music has been shown to have both facilitating as well as distracting characteristics. In the present study, it was demonstrated that loud sound volume (94 dB (A)) adversely affects simple vigilance, as well as simulated driving (SimD) performance. Hard rock music has a greater detrimental effect on male reaction times (RT) compared to females. Also, hard rock music was demonstrated to facilitate nonconscious perception performance, while increasing accommodation heart rate (HR). In conclusion, both genders should avoid loud noise or music when driving while males should be especially aware of the detrimental effects of hard rock music on their driving performance.

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