Research has shown that driving is a task that demands high cognitive resources for drivers to manage visual and
auditory functions, execute decision-making actions, and perform manual operations to achieve their motivation in
traveling from and to different locations. This can influence the mental workload of the drivers. This study aims to
assess the mental workload of private car drivers passing along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and the factors that influence their driving performance. Based on the subjective mental workload assessment tool, NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), an online survey was randomly distributed among private motorists driving in EDSA. The responses were assessed to obtain the mental workload scores. Further analysis of the responses shows the significant factors of the drivers’ mental workload through the use of Student’s t-Test, Pearson Correlation, and Simple Linear Regression, and the contribution of the neuroergonomics approach. The results indicate that private car drivers in EDSA experience an overall high mental workload in performing their driving tasks in relation to the factors that significantly impact their performance. On this basis, it is recommended that the mental workload of private car drivers is seen as a key factor in EDSA’s traffic congestion and accident-prone nature.

Keywords: Driving, Mental Workload, Neuroergonomics, Subjective Mental Workload Assessment, NASA Task Load Index, Mental Workload Score

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Ms. Ma. Isabelle Delos Santos