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Analysis of the mental workload of city traffic control operators while monitoring traffic density: A field study
Majid Fallahia, , Majid Motamedzadeb, , , Rashid Heidarimoghadamc, Ali Reza Soltaniand, , Maryam Farhadiane, , Shinji Miyakef
a Department of Occupational Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
b Department of Ergonomics, School of Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
c Department of Ergonomics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
d Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
e Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
f School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational & Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishiku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
Received 6 December 2014, Revised 18 April 2016, Accepted 15 June 2016, Available online 24 June 2016
Abstract
Introduction
It is important to evaluate when and why the mental workload of operators increases during system operation. The city traffic control center (TCC) is a complex work system, and it is important to describe MW as a condition related to this. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the mental workload of operators while monitoring traffic loads in the city TCC
Methods
Electroencephalography and electrooculography data were collected from 16 operators while performing their daily work, in four conditions: resting state, low traffic density, high traffic density, and recovery. The Simplified-Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (S-SWAT) was used to evaluate the subjective workload of operators
Results
The findings indicate that operators experience a larger mental workload during high traffic density than during low traffic density (p < 0.001). TCC stressors led to significant changes in EEG bands, such as theta, alpha, and eye activity. Significant differences were observed for subjective ratings of MW (p < 0.001)
Conclusion
Although the working situations of TCC operators are repeated daily, their mental fatigue and stress level gradually increase, leading to deterioration in their mental health. It may be necessary periodically to monitor their mental health and to consider their organizational behavior during traffic density monitoring
Relevance to industry
complex work systems have increased the requirement for many operators to conduct mental tasks in real work conditions such as city traffic density monitoring. When evaluating such workplaces, it is important to identify situations requiring increased mental workload that might impose additional stress on operators, decreasing their performance. Based on the results, the traffic control center director would be aware of the MW condition of the operators.
Abstract
Introduction
It is important to evaluate when and why the mental workload of operators increases during system operation. The city traffic control center (TCC) is a complex work system, and it is important to describe MW as a condition related to this. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the mental workload of operators while monitoring traffic loads in the city TCC
Methods
Electroencephalography and electrooculography data were collected from 16 operators while performing their daily work, in four conditions: resting state, low traffic density, high traffic density, and recovery. The Simplified-Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (S-SWAT) was used to evaluate the subjective workload of operators
Results
The findings indicate that operators experience a larger mental workload during high traffic density than during low traffic density (p < 0.001). TCC stressors led to significant changes in EEG bands, such as theta, alpha, and eye activity. Significant differences were observed for subjective ratings of MW (p < 0.001)
Conclusion
Although the working situations of TCC operators are repeated daily, their mental fatigue and stress level gradually increase, leading to deterioration in their mental health. It may be necessary periodically to monitor their mental health and to consider their organizational behavior during traffic density monitoring
Relevance to industry
complex work systems have increased the requirement for many operators to conduct mental tasks in real work conditions such as city traffic density monitoring. When evaluating such workplaces, it is important to identify situations requiring increased mental workload that might impose additional stress on operators, decreasing their performance. Based on the results, the traffic control center director would be aware of the MW condition of the operators.
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