Abstract
When we evaluate the driver-vehicle-environment systems, we need to consider the adaptability of a driver to the vehicle. Therefore, in the evaluation of these systems, it is important to consider the Mental Work Load (MWL) of a driver given by the vehicle behavior and the environment. Many researches on the MWL at connection with vital reactions have been done in recent years, for example heart rate variability, respiratory, electroencephalogram, and so on [1]- [4]. However, a method of the MWL evaluation has not been established yet. Therefore, we constructed the MWL evaluation model, which expresses the relationship between the factor in the MWL and the Heart Rate Variability (HRV). There is a report, in which the HRV has a strong relationship with the MWL. And, we analyzed this model, which factor in the MWL effects to the HRV of a driver. From this result, it is shown that this analytical method can be used to assess and improve the driver-vehicle-environment systems.