Hierarchical control and driving

Abstract

We manipulated primary task predictability and secondary task workload in the context of driving an automobile. As the driving task became less predictable (by adding wind gusts), more attention was required to maintain lane position. When drivers concurrently engaged in a secondary cognitive task in the windy driving condition, attention was diverted from driving and the ability to maintain lane position was degraded. By contrast, when the driving task was predictable (no wind), lane maintenance actually improved when a secondary cognitive task diverted attention from driving. These data provide evidence for a hierarchical control network that coordinates an interaction between automatic, encapsulated routines and limited capacity attention.