Christopher J D Patten

Publications (4)3.73 Total impact

• Article: Driver experience and cognitive workload in different traffic environments.

  Christopher J D Patten, Albert Kircher, Joakim Ostlund, Lena Nilsson, Ola Svenson
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: How do levels of cognitive workload differ between experienced and inexperienced drivers? In this study we explored cognitive workload and driver experience, using a secondary task method, the peripheral detection task (PDT) in a field study. The main results showed a large and statistically significant difference in cognitive workload levels between experienced and inexperienced drivers. Inexperienced, low mileage drivers had on average approximately 250 milliseconds (ms) longer reaction times to a peripheral stimulus, than the experienced drivers. It would, therefore, appear that drivers with better training and experience were able to automate the driving task more effectively than their less experienced counterparts in accordance with theoretical psychological models. It has been suggested that increased training and experience may provide attention resource savings that can benefit the driver in handling new or unexpected traffic situations.
  Accident Analysis & Prevention 10/2006; 38(5):887-94. · 1.87 Impact Factor
• Article: Mobile phones and driving: a review of contemporary research.

  Ola Svenson, Christopher J. D. Patten
  Cognition, Technology & Work. 01/2005; 7:182-197.
• Source

  Available from: nsc.org

  Article: Using mobile telephones: cognitive workload and attention resource allocation.

  Christopher J D Patten, Albert Kircher, Joakim Ostlund, Lena Nilsson
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Driver distraction is recognized as being one of the central causes of road traffic incidents and mobile telephones are tangible devices (among many other electronic devices) that can distract the driver through changes in workload. Forty participants completed a motorway route characterized by a low level of road complexity in the form of vehicle handling and information processing. A peripheral detection task (PDT) was employed to gauge mental workload. We compared effects of conversation type (simple versus complex) and telephone mode (hands-free versus handheld) to baseline conditions. The participants' reaction times increased significantly when conversing but no benefit of hands-free units over handheld units on rural roads/motorways were found. Thus, in regard to mobile telephones, the content of the conversation was far more important for driving and driver distraction than the type of telephone when driving on a motorway or similar type of road. The more difficult and complex the conversation, the greater the possible negative effect on driver distraction.
  Accident Analysis & Prevention 06/2004; 36(3):341-50. · 1.87 Impact Factor
• Article: Driver experience and cognitive workload in different traffic environments

  Christopher J.D. Patten, Albert Kircher, Joakim Östlund, Lena Nilsson, Ola Svenson
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: How do levels of cognitive workload differ between experienced and inexperienced drivers? In this study we explored cognitive workload and driver experience, using a secondary task method, the peripheral detection task (PDT) in a field study. The main results showed a large and statistically significant difference in cognitive workload levels between experienced and inexperienced drivers. Inexperienced, low mileage drivers had on average approximately 250 milliseconds (ms) longer reaction times to a peripheral stimulus, than the experienced drivers. It would, therefore, appear that drivers with better training and experience were able to automate the driving task more effectively than their less experienced counterparts in accordance with theoretical psychological models. It has been suggested that increased training and experience may provide attention resource savings that can benefit the driver in handling new or unexpected traffic situations.
  Accident Analysis & Prevention.