Mental workload variations of drivers navigating over the differential types of interchange ramps

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8484.2025.06.004

Abstract

Abstract:

Interchange ramp areas present complex environments where drivers' mental workload varies significantly. The drivers' mental workloads were analyzed while they crossed different interchange ramp types, with the data of driver heart rates being collected by real-vehicle experiments. A mental workload evaluation system was established by using dual-modal electrocardiogram indicators (the HR (heart rate) and the HRV (heart rate variability)). The results show that drivers experience higher mental workload in hub interchange ramps than that in general interchange ramps. Within interchanges, the mental workload is the highest in small-radius loop ramps, followed by the left-turn semi-directional ramps, and the lowest in right-turn directional ramps. Drivers also exhibit greater tension in hub interchange scenarios. The mental workload demonstrates a significant negative correlation with ramp radius. The authors recommend installing deceleration signs in advance on hub interchange sections.

Key words: traffic engineering, interchange, interchange ramps, driving behaviors, heart rate indicators, psychological load

CLC Number:

U491.2

LIANG Yuchen, DUAN Weijian, ZHANG Shi, ZHU Xinglin, XU Jin. Mental workload variations of drivers navigating over the differential types of interchange ramps[J]. Journal of Automotive Safety and Energy, 2025, 16(6): 851-858.

Figures/Tables 14

References 17

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立交功能	结构形式	名称	匝道区域代码	匝道形式
枢纽互通	变形苜蓿叶形(对称双环式)	白杨沟立交	BY	右转定向式匝道
	变形苜蓿叶形(对称双环式)	白杨沟立交	BZ	左转半定向式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	东环立交	DX1	小半径环圈式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	东环立交	DX2	小半径环圈式匝道
一般互通	变形苜蓿叶形(单环式)	石港立交	SY	右转定向式匝道
		石港立交	SZ	左转半定向式匝道
		盘龙立交	TY	右转定向式匝道
		盘龙立交	TZ	左转半定向式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	何家梁立交	HX1	小半径环圈式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	何家梁立交	HX2	小半径环圈式匝道

立交功能	结构形式	名称	匝道区域代码	匝道形式
枢纽互通	变形苜蓿叶形(对称双环式)	白杨沟立交	BY	右转定向式匝道
	变形苜蓿叶形(对称双环式)	白杨沟立交	BZ	左转半定向式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	东环立交	DX1	小半径环圈式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	东环立交	DX2	小半径环圈式匝道
一般互通	变形苜蓿叶形(单环式)	石港立交	SY	右转定向式匝道
		石港立交	SZ	左转半定向式匝道
		盘龙立交	TY	右转定向式匝道
		盘龙立交	TZ	左转半定向式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	何家梁立交	HX1	小半径环圈式匝道
	完全苜蓿叶形	何家梁立交	HX2	小半径环圈式匝道

指标	指标平均值/ ms
	枢纽互通			一般互通
	右转定向式匝道区域	左转半定向式匝道区域	小半径环圈式匝道区域	右转定向式匝道区域	左转半定向式匝道区域	小半径环圈式匝道区域
RMSSD	23.12	27.43	24.50	24.57	21.45	24.81
SDNN	27.63	28.34	26.65	30.20	27.73	29.14
LFnorm	57.96	54.18	55.34	54.47	51.49	50.78
LFHF	1.56	1.51	1.73	1.55	1.44	1.29

指标	指标平均值/ ms
	枢纽互通			一般互通
	右转定向式匝道区域	左转半定向式匝道区域	小半径环圈式匝道区域	右转定向式匝道区域	左转半定向式匝道区域	小半径环圈式匝道区域
RMSSD	23.12	27.43	24.50	24.57	21.45	24.81
SDNN	27.63	28.34	26.65	30.20	27.73	29.14
LFnorm	57.96	54.18	55.34	54.47	51.49	50.78
LFHF	1.56	1.51	1.73	1.55	1.44	1.29