Evaluation of the effect of a newly developed steering unit with enhanced self-alignment and deadband on mental workload during driving of agricultural tractors

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of a newly developed steering unit with enhanced self-alignment and deadband on mental workload (MW) during heavy vehicle operation. Fourteen participants performed two tasks consisting of a lane keeping and a double lane shift with two tractors equipped with 1) a conventional and 2) an enhanced steering system. Physiological measurements, i.e., electromyography, electrodermal activity and heart rate were recorded during the tasks. Furthermore, performance measurements and subjective perception of MW were collected. Present study demonstrated that participants perceived the enhanced steering system requiring less mental demands to operate. Participants improved their performance during the lane keeping task and tended to improve in the double lane shift task with the enhanced system. Physiological measurements did not reveal differences between the steering systems. This study highlighted the dissociation of subjective indices of mental workload from physiological indices in driving of heavy vehicles. •This is the first study evaluating the effect of heavy vehicle steering systems on mental workload.•Fourteen farmers perceived a modified steering system reduced mental workload demand.•Physiological indices were insensitive to the altered perceived mental workload with the modified steering system.