Some driving is as stressful as skydiving (but not as much fun)
Driving in chaotic urban traffic can be almost as stressful as jumping out of a plane, according to a study on driver stress and frustration by MIT for Audi. Audi plans to use the results to develop its driver assistance and connectivity technologies.
The research initiative, Road Frustration Index, aims to find the individual factors that lead to driver frustration, using skin conductance sensors, facial and body tracking, and environmental recordings. Preliminary trials measured driver stress in various driving conditions, from busy highways to quiet suburban streets, and in a variety of road conditions, from stop-and-go traffic to confusing roadway navigation. For comparison, researchers measured stress levels in different daily activities: at home, in the office, at breakfast or at a lecture at MIT.
One study showed that getting sideswiped by an oncoming car can be almost as stressful as jumping out of a plane, said Filip Brabec, direct of product management, Audi of America.
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