How the brain manages driving - and how it can improve driver assistance systems
Poor visibility, complex traffic rules, dangerous driving situations – driving a car is often challenging. Researchers at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors in Dortmund (IfADo) have investigated what happens in the brain at the critical moment and which physiological indicators can be observed in drivers. A deeper understanding of these processes could help make driver assistance systems even more precise and safer.
Two Modes of Vehicle Control in the Brain
The researchers were interested in which brain regions are activated when people control a vehicle and how these activations are related to steering and gaze movements. In a driving simulator, XY participants drove under different weather and visibility conditions, such as sunshine, rain, or fog. At the same time, EEG data, eye movements, and vehicle parameters related to steering, acceleration, and braking were recorded simultaneously.
“The brain dynamically switches between two driving modes: a proactive mode and a reactive mode,” explains Dr. Emad Alyan, research associate in the Ergonomics department at IfADo. “During stable driving, brain waves remain balanced, and both gaze and steering are steady – the brain plans ahead and keeps the vehicle on course. When sudden changes occur, such as abrupt braking or sharp turns, the brain shifts into the reactive mode.”
EEG recordings reveal characteristic changes in brain activity, accompanied by dilated pupils and more erratic steering. At the same time, drivers expand their visual scanning, looking more frequently and across wider angles to take in as much relevant information as possible.
Potential for Early Warning Systems
The studies provide valuable insights into the physiological and cognitive mechanisms involved in driving and indicate how, for example, changes in brain activity during demanding driving maneuvers are reflected in gaze behavior and pupil responses. Based on this, assistance systems could be further developed to detect physiological changes earlier and more reliably and to warn drivers in good time before critical situations arise. This could help prevent accidents and offer drivers timely support in high-risk moments.