Music and Driving

In the PhD project "Music and Driving", we examined the influence of music and the radio on cognitive processes, arousal and driving performance. Notably, in a series of studies with the driving simulator we investigated how drivers handle music and radio-listening in high and low-demand driving environments (e.g. busy or empty roads). Our results showed that music and the radio do not impair driving performance. Yet, this seems to be achieved by employing cognitive compensatory strategies while driving on busy roads, such as by blocking out auditory distractions or by investing more mental effort on the driving task when music and the radio accompany driving. Our results further showed that in low-demand traffic environments music might even enhance driving performance by increasing arousal levels to optimal, and making drivers somewhat more vigilant in boring road conditions. Our studies point out the importance of taking the (driving) context into account when studying the cognitive, affective and behavioural effects of secondary tasks or distracters.

Researchers:

• Ayca Berfu Unal
• Linda Steg
• Kai Epstude

Educational program of the department:

• Specific courses
• Bachelor theses
• Master theses

Names of courses:

• B2-4 Social environment and behaviour
• PSB3E Consumer and Economic Psychology

Topics of bachelor theses:

• The effects of music on driving performance, How does complexity of music affect driving speed?

Topics of master theses:

• Blocking out auditory distractions while driving, The effect of music on driving performance of introverts and extroverts

Cooperations exist within the department:

• Dick de Waard (Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology)

Cooperations exist within faculty, university, (inter)nationally:

Representative publications:

• Unal, A. B., De Ward, D., Epstude, K., & Steg, L. (2013). Driving with music: Effects on arousal and performance. Transportation Research Part F, 21, 52-65.
• Unal, A. B., Platteel, S., Steg, L., & Epstude, K. (2013). Blocking-out the radio content: A cognitive strategy to reduce task-demands while listening to the radio and driving. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 50, 934–942.
• Unal, A. B., Steg, L., & Epstude, K. (2012). The influence of music on mental effort and driving performance. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 48, 271–278.

Successful grant proposals or other achievements:

• Mind-sets: Mobility Innovations for a New Dawn in Sustainable (European)
• Transport Systems (Horizon2020

Theme:

University's focus areas:

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