Subjective mental workload measurement using video fragments

Mental workload has been a relevant topic in traffic safety research for decades. In general workload measurements are expensive and time consuming. This paper presents the first steps in the development of a cheaper and quicker mental workload measurement method. It uses short video fragments of driving situations that are shown to the subject, after watching the video fragment the subject is asked to indicate their perceived mental effort if they would be driving in those situations themselves. The experiment revealed significant effects on mental workload for traffic density, age, weather, presence of Heavy Goods Vehicles and presence of Vulnerable Road Users. These results are in line with previous workload studies. The first results of the Video based Workload Measurement method (VWM) presented in this paper are promising as a sensitive and valid method for determining workload. However, in order to adequately attain its effectiveness, more research is needed.