Riding Along In My Automobile: Musically-Induced Emotions and Driving Behaviour

Lead Research Organisation: Brunel University London
Department Name: Life Sciences

Abstract

The emotional states, attitudes and awareness of drivers is increasingly being acknowledged as the principal cause of serious traffic accidents; the largest cause of fatality among young adults with a compound cost to their families and communities. Drivers have listened to music as stimulant and distraction since the early days of car audio in the 1930s, and more widely since the 1960s when the technology became far more widely available. It is telling that, whilst there is currently much research effort directed at understanding a range of in-car distractions such as mobile phones and sat-nav devices, there has been a relative absence of targeted research examining the effects of the emotional states brought about through music on driving behaviour and performance.

Laboratory tests have found that music can interfere with and shape mental processing. Significantly, the effects in question are very much dependent on the task being performed, and the person performing it. In this project, we aim to investigate the effects of emotional states induced through music on driving behaviour and performance across a range of scenarios. Some of these effects may be positive - for instance, stimulating an otherwise tired driver - whilst others may be negative, such as causing a distraction from the road ahead. The research will address a number of questions: Under what driving conditions do musically-induced emotions influence performance? Which kinds of music are likely to impact upon the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users? Does music improve alertness or driving performance in any way? Are such effects similar for the young and the old, and for both males and females?

Brunel University London has formed a partnership with the national Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), insurers Direct Line PLC, and the Dundee Science Centre (organisers of the annual Dundee Science Festival). The programme entails an innovative sequence of studies aiming to explore the effects of emotions and attitudes on drivers. The studies will take place in a state-of-the-art driving simulator based around a modified road car. The sophisticated battery of measures includes motion sensors, an eye-movement capture system, brain monitors, expert interviews, and driving performance assessments focussing on accuracy, decision-making, and the timely response to critical and unexpected events. The team consists of Dr Costas Karageorghis alongside the TRL's Professor Nick Reed. For two decades, Karageorghis has led internationally-renowned research into the effects of music in various physical activity contexts from healthcare to gymnasia-based exercise. Having developed an experimental and theoretical paradigm to account for music's emotional and motivational power, Karageorghis and his fellow scientists aim to apply this expertise in a highly prevalent social space in which considerations of risk are paramount, that of the public road. In both contexts, music is used as a form of distraction, a means to improve emotions, and a stimulus. Both Direct Line PLC and the annual Dundee Science Centre are providing dissemination opportunities for the project, which will engage the driving public with the new findings.

This novel programme of research has been meticulously designed to address fundamental questions connected to driving psychology with the aim of aiding policy makers, while feeding in to safety guidelines, product development and driver education. With music playing such a ubiquitous role in the experience of car ownership, especially among the young, formal and revealing investigation of the way that music alters driving behaviour is timely. The ultimate aim is to prime public awareness and stimulate debate, contribute towards improvements in road safety, and thus play an indirect role in preventing accidents and their associated casualties.

Planned Impact

The commercial, governmental, and public bodies and users that would benefit from this research are iterated within the following paragraphs. Firstly, vehicle manufacturers will be able to use the output in designing novel, adaptive car management systems that are tailored to the variable psychological, technical, and safety-management demands of driving. Such technologies represent an area of incipient development, and extending these principles to in-car audio output represents a logical step. Findings and recommendations emerging from the project in respect of driver behaviour, driving standards, and public policy would be pertinent to bodies such as the Driving Standards Agency, the Institute for Advanced Motorists, and the Department for Transport in their public consultations on driver training and assessment. Furthermore, fleet managers as well as the motor insurance industry representatives (including project Partners Direct Line PLC and Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre - or 'Thatcham') will be able to make use of the findings in providing guidance to their drivers and new analytics to evaluate driver behaviour and safety.

The driving public will ultimately benefit from the findings in terms of awareness of human factors in road safety. The planned media campaign, capped by the pioneering exhibit at the annual Dundee Science Festival (under the auspices of project partner the Dundee Science Centre), will serve to stimulate public debate on the impact of emotions and mental activity on driving behaviour and road safety. Direct Line PLC have also taken a partnership role and, in addition to providing various support services centering on public communications and data analytics, will contribute heavily to the user engagement and publicity programmes. Their involvement will bring the findings to the commercial sector as well as their 10,000-strong workforce. Agreements are in place with numerous end user organisations concerning the expedition of the proposed impact activities (see Pathways to Impact). These specific endorsements include Lucy Amos of Brake and David Davies of PACTS (letters of support available on request). In particular, Brake have committed to an enhanced involvement with the programme entailing a workshop, guidance in preparing output for fleet operations, dissemination activities, and a theoretical framework. Road safety is a significant public health issue, and the work proposed herein would impact constructively on the thought climate and public debate at a variety of levels.
 
Title Spotify account that provides music playlists for different types of driving and music in other contexts (e.g. exercise and sport) 
Description The Spotify account has been used in parallel with a number of project-related social media accounts (e.g. Instagram and Facebook) to provide driving-related playlists that are accessible free-of-charge to the general public. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact Creation of the Spotify account has resulted in a great deal of international traffic. One of the playlists (associated with a Times article) has 212 followers. Another playlist (associated with a Conversation article) has 446 followers. The Spotify account, as a whole, has 51 followers (i.e., for all 27 playlists that are posted to date) and we plan to grow this number, particularly when there is an opportunity to promote the account in the media, as there was with The Times and The Conversation. 
URL https://open.spotify.com/user/j8pyfvz4vrm3ez9szxfhu44xh
 
Description Previous work examining the effects of music on driving behaviour has seldom isolated musical characteristics from participants' sociocultural and age-related music preferences. The first study of this programme of research incorporated several objective elements to establish the content of music conditions (i.e., what would be played to experimental participants). We investigated the potentially distracting effects caused by processing of lyrics through exposing young drivers to the same piece of music with/without lyrics and at different intensities (60 dBA and 75 dBA) using a counterbalanced, within-subjects design (N = 34; Mage = 22.2, SD = 2.01 years). We compared six simulator conditions that comprised low-intensity music with/without lyrics, high-intensity music with/without lyrics plus two controls - ambient in-car noise and spoken lyrics. Statistical analyses indicated that for the NASA Task Load Index, there was an effect for Temporal Demand wherein a low-volume with lyrics music condition imposed lower demand than ambient in-car noise. Moreover, there were lower scores for Frustration in the music conditions when compared to spoken lyrics. For affective valence (i.e., how good or bad participants felt emotionally), the four music conditions produced higher scores than control conditions. For affective arousal (i.e., how pepped up participants felt), the music conditions yield lower scores than in-car noise. There was no effect of condition for heart rate variability (HRV) data, albeit a sex difference emerged for the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN; men > women) providing objective evidence that men found the urban simulated driving task more stressful than did women. Although some condition-based differences emerged in subjective outcomes, these were not replicated in HRV data, used as an objective index of emotionality. The most effective condition in terms of optimising mental state during simulated urban driving was soft, non-lyrical music.

The second study of the programme examined the interactive effects of task load and music tempo on cognitions, affect, cardiac responses and safety-relevant behaviours during simulated driving. Using a counterbalanced, within-subjects design, participants (N = 46) were exposed to fast-, slow- and no-music conditions at high and low loads in a high-grade simulator. Task load had the most salient effect across a broad swath of variables. For core affect, the Load × Music Condition interaction showed that, under high load, affective arousal scores were higher in the fast-tempo condition vs. slow. A main effect of tempo emerged for the HRV index of SDNN, with fast-tempo music eliciting lower scores than both slow- and no-music conditions. Behavioural data showed a main effect of tempo for risk ratings with fast-tempo music eliciting the highest scores for a traffic-light trigger. The findings indicate that drivers in high-load, urban environments should exercise caution in their use of fast-tempo music.

The third study of the programme examined the effect of participant-selected (PSel) and researcher-selected (RSel) music on urban driving behaviour in young men (N = 27; Mage = 20.6 years, SD = 1.9 years). A counterbalanced, within-subjects design was used with four simulated driving conditions: PSel fast-tempo music, PSel slow-tempo music, RSel music and an urban traffic-noise control. The between-subjects variable of personality (introverts vs. extroverts) was explored. The presence of PSel slow-tempo music and RSel music optimised affective valence and arousal for urban driving. NASA Task Load Index scores indicated that urban noise control increased mental demand compared to PSel slow-tempo music. In the PSel slow-tempo condition, less use was made of the brake pedal. When compared to extroverts, introverts recorded lower mean speed and attracted lower risk ratings under PSel slow-tempo music. The utility of PSel slow-tempo and RSel music was demonstrated in terms of optimising participants' affective state for simulated urban driving.

The fourth study of the programme used qualitative data derived from the previous three studies but that was not published within those studies. Underpinned by pragmatism and symbolic interactionism, an inductive content analysis was conducted to assess driving experiences under a variety of music conditions. Data collection took place over the aforementioned simulated driving studies, each of which had different different driving-related tasks and participants. The inductive content analysis was conducted by two members of the research team and a peer debriefing was conducted by a third. Findings showed that music can have a range of affective, behavioural and cognitive effects (both positive and negative), that are moderated by the driving environment (i.e., urban vs. highway) and aspects of the musical stimulus (i.e., inclusion/non-inclusion of lyrics, loudness and tempo). Participants were mindful of the implications of in-vehicle music vis-à-vis the safety-performance-pleasure trade-off. The analysis suggested a perceived beneficial effect of music and consequent contribution to driving style/safety-related performance. Younger drivers' apparent reliance on music as a means by which to regulate their emotion highlights an education need in terms of optimising selections.
Exploitation Route There are multiple recommendations regarding the use of music during driving - particularly with reference to younger drivers - that have been disseminated via a range of media channels (newspaper articles, magazine articles, podcasts, websites) and brought to life in a museum exhibition that is hosted by the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (see https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/turn-it-up). The project team have also used a variety of social media channels (e.g. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) and playlists made freely available via Spotify (see e.g. Brunel SAVI Group) to encourage the general public to benefit from the findings of the ESRC-funded programme of research.
Sectors Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Transport
URL https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/World-first-immersive-music-experience-stars-Brunel-research
 
Description The findings from this programme of research have contributed to a media campaign that was funded by Project Partner, the Direct Line Insurance Group. The media campaign enabled to key messages from the programme of research to be expounded to a wider audience. Moreover, the programme of research resulted in an interactive exhibit at the Manchester Science and Industry Museum that will be toured over the next 2 years (https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/turn-it-up).
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Transport,Other
Impact Types Cultural,Societal
 
Title Development of four simulated driving protocols for simulated driving 
Description Two main driving environments have been designed for the Riding Along In My Automobile research programme. The first consists of a dense urban environment in daytime, the second of a three-lane highway with traffic flowing in the opposite direction (daytime and night-time options). Both environments have been designed in accordance with Highways England regulations and standards, including the road sign designs, road geometry and the Highway Code, road safety and vehicle rules. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact These two environments -- urban and highway -- can be reused for future studies, as they have been fully integrated into Coventry University driving simulator. The main use cases that can be further investigated are: left turn scenario, avoiding parked ambulances and police cars, pedestrian crossing event, car following task, overtaking manoeuvres, pedestrians walking on the sidewalk, traffic light management at level crossing and cross-cutting car at an intersection. These use cases reflect common situations encountered by drivers in the UK and are likely to be reused by either students or researchers for both teaching-related and research projects. Conducting the three ESRC work packages in the Coventry University driving simulator has allowed the research team to refine the simulator controllers, such as the steering wheel and pedal sensitivity. As a result, the car controls have a more realistic feel that they did prior to the Riding Along project. The software suite used for the simulation development includes Cityengine (3D design of road environments), Blender (convert Cityengine .wavefront files into .obj) and OpenDS (driving simulation software). Learning how to use Cityengine and Blender to integrate made-to-measure 3D road environments within OpenDS was required in order to achieve research objectives associated with the three work packages. The driving simulation research team at Coventry University is now capable of developing similar environments and to integrate them into the simulator from scratch. The eye-tracking configuration used to collect data on participants' gaze behaviour has been refined and data collected for the project (Work Package 3) suggest better reliability than encountered in previous works. Hence, our knowledge of the device has significantly increased and will be shared among staff and students who use the simulation facilities. 
 
Title Influence of Music on Driver Psychology and Safety-Relevent Behaviours: A Multi-Study Inductive Content Analysis 
Description AbstractObjectives: Underpinned by pragmatism and symbolic interactionism, an inductive content analysis was conducted to assess participants' experiences of driving under a variety of music conditions. Background: Numerous quantitative studies have addressed the positive and negative effects of music on drivers in both simulated and real-world environments. There has, however, been a conspicuous dearth of qualitative research to provide a deeper and more nuanced understanding of how drivers themselves think that music affects them. Method: Data collection took place over three simulated driving studies, each with different tasks/participants (Study 1 - n = 34, Study 2 - n = 46, and Study 3 - n = 27). Data were collected using four open-ended questions. The inductive content analysis was conducted by two members of the research team and a peer debriefing was conducted by a third to ensure the trustworthiness of the analysis. Results: Findings show that music can have a range of affective, behavioural and cognitive effects (both positive and negative), that are moderated by the driving environment (i.e., urban vs. highway) and aspects of the musical stimulus (i.e., inclusion/non-inclusion of lyrics, loudness, and tempo). Participants were mindful of the implications of in-vehicle music in regard to the safety-performance-pleasure trade off. Conclusion: The inductive content analysis suggested a perceived beneficial effect of music on the driving experience and consequent contribution to driving style and safety-related performance. Application: Younger drivers' apparent reliance on music as a means by which to regulate emotion highlights a need for education of novice drivers.Detailed Description of Data FileThis Excel data file includes each participant's responses to the 11 qualitative questions that were asked in the survey after a set of experimental trials. The 11 questions were: (1) Are you able to describe and differences among the six simulator trials that you completed over the last 90 minutes?; (2) How did each of the trials make you feel emotionally, in general, while you drove in the simulator (try to be specific)?; (3) Prior to this study, had you ever used music to influence your emotional state while driving in an urban environment and, if so, how exactly?; (4) Has listening to music during an urban driving simulation changed your perception of the experience in any way and, if so, how?; (5) Would listening to music during real urban driving make you likely to drive more safely in the future?; (6) What aspects of your emotions of behaviour during real urban driving is music likely to change?; (7) Would listening to a talk radio station or podcast during real urban driving make you likely to drive more safely in the future?; (8) What aspects of your emotions or behaviour during real urban driving would a talk radio station or podcase be likely to change?; (9) What sort of music would help you to drive more safely in a real urban environment (try to also give specific artists/albums/tracks)?; (10) Which trial did you think was most conducive to safe urban driving in the simulator and why?; and (11) Are there any other comments you would like to make in relation to the experimental protocol you have just completed? 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Influence_of_Music_on_Driver_Psychology_and_Safety-Relevent_Be...
 
Title Influence of Music on Driver Psychology and Safety-Relevent Behaviours: A Multi-Study Inductive Content Analysis 
Description AbstractObjectives: Underpinned by pragmatism and symbolic interactionism, an inductive content analysis was conducted to assess participants' experiences of driving under a variety of music conditions. Background: Numerous quantitative studies have addressed the positive and negative effects of music on drivers in both simulated and real-world environments. There has, however, been a conspicuous dearth of qualitative research to provide a deeper and more nuanced understanding of how drivers themselves think that music affects them. Method: Data collection took place over three simulated driving studies, each with different tasks/participants (Study 1 - n = 34, Study 2 - n = 46, and Study 3 - n = 27). Data were collected using four open-ended questions. The inductive content analysis was conducted by two members of the research team and a peer debriefing was conducted by a third to ensure the trustworthiness of the analysis. Results: Findings show that music can have a range of affective, behavioural and cognitive effects (both positive and negative), that are moderated by the driving environment (i.e., urban vs. highway) and aspects of the musical stimulus (i.e., inclusion/non-inclusion of lyrics, loudness, and tempo). Participants were mindful of the implications of in-vehicle music in regard to the safety-performance-pleasure trade off. Conclusion: The inductive content analysis suggested a perceived beneficial effect of music on the driving experience and consequent contribution to driving style and safety-related performance. Application: Younger drivers' apparent reliance on music as a means by which to regulate emotion highlights a need for education of novice drivers.Detailed Description of Data FileThis Excel data file includes each participant's responses to the 11 qualitative questions that were asked in the survey after a set of experimental trials. The 11 questions were: (1) Are you able to describe and differences among the six simulator trials that you completed over the last 90 minutes?; (2) How did each of the trials make you feel emotionally, in general, while you drove in the simulator (try to be specific)?; (3) Prior to this study, had you ever used music to influence your emotional state while driving in an urban environment and, if so, how exactly?; (4) Has listening to music during an urban driving simulation changed your perception of the experience in any way and, if so, how?; (5) Would listening to music during real urban driving make you likely to drive more safely in the future?; (6) What aspects of your emotions of behaviour during real urban driving is music likely to change?; (7) Would listening to a talk radio station or podcast during real urban driving make you likely to drive more safely in the future?; (8) What aspects of your emotions or behaviour during real urban driving would a talk radio station or podcase be likely to change?; (9) What sort of music would help you to drive more safely in a real urban environment (try to also give specific artists/albums/tracks)?; (10) Which trial did you think was most conducive to safe urban driving in the simulator and why?; and (11) Are there any other comments you would like to make in relation to the experimental protocol you have just completed? 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This was the first publication in the scientific literature that used a multi-study qualitative/interpretivist approach to the study of music and safety-relevant driving behaviours during simulated driving. 
URL https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Influence_of_Music_on_Driver_Psychology_and_Safety-Relevent_Be...
 
Title Interactive Effects of Task Load and Music Tempo on Psychological, Psychophysiological and Behavioural Outcomes During Simulated Driving 
Description AbstractData were checked for univariate outliers using standardised scores (z > ± 3.29) and for multivariate outliers using the Mahalanobis distance test (p < .001; Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019). Data were also examined for the parametric assumptions that underlie within-subjects ANOVA (Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019), other than the behavioural data from video analysis, which were derived from frequency counts. Where the assumption of sphericity was violated, Greenhouse-Geisser-adjusted F tests were used. Initial analyses employed repeated-measures (RM) 2 (Load) × 3 (Tempo) (M)ANOVAs for the three psychological measures (i.e., RSME, NASA-TLX, and Affect Grid) and cardiac measures (HR and HRV indices). Additionally, exploratory analyses were conducted using a mixed-model approach, adopting the between-subject factors of personality (introvert vs. extrovert), sex (women vs. men), and age group (young adults vs. middle-aged adults). Significant F tests were followed up with pairwise/multiple comparisons, or in the case of interaction effects, examination of 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to identify where differences lay. Behavioural data were collated for the urban environment (high load) simulation under the following categories: (a) video data pertaining to four triggers (pedestrian, garbage truck, traffic lights, and vehicle cutting); (b) and simulator-derived data from the accelerator and brake pedal positions (i.e., 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximum braking); (c) mean speed (mph), and (d) course completion time (min). For the highway environment (low load), simulator data were collated for: (a) accelerator and brake pedal positions; (b) mean speed, and (c) completion time. From among these data, where parametric assumptions were not met and transformations would not serve to normalise the distribution, nonparametric analyses was adopted using rank-based, nonparametric tests. Specifically, the Wald-type statistic (WTS) and the ANOVA-type statistic (ATS) was computed within the nparLD package (Noguchi et al., 2012) of data analysis software R. In the absence of the load factor for the trigger and pedal data, a within-subjects, one-way ANOVA for the effect of music tempo was computed. In the exploratory analyses, a factorial approach was used, with a series of mixed-model ANOVAs 3 ([Tempo] × 2 [Personality], 3 [Tempo] × 2 [Sex], and 3 [Tempo] × 2 [Age Group]). Note that the main effect of tempo for trigger and pedal data is relevant to the main analysis but in the interest of parsimony is incorporated within exploratory factorial analyses.Detailed Description of Data FileThis SPSS data file contains the demographic data (i.e. sex, age, age group [1 = young adult, 2 = middle-aged adult], personality [1 = introvert, 2 = extrovert]) for each of the 46 participants (presented with one participant per row). Behavioural measures relating to the driving simulation are included. These include the elapsed time (mins) for each trial. Also, mean speed (mph), brake pedal use (i.e. 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximal braking), accelerator pedal use (i.e., 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximal acceleration) and risk ratings (on a scale from 1 [safe driving] to 4 [reckless driving]). Note that these performance-related measures appear 12 times in total; that is for each simulator trigger (i.e. a pedestrian who walked at 5 km/h across a zebra crossing, a garbage truck that moved slowly in the left-hand lane and prompted an overtaking manoeuvre, traffic lights that changed to red, a slow vehicle on a stretch of road on which overtaking was prohibited and a vehicle that cut across unexpectedly at a four-way intersection) across all three high-load (urban) conditions. Additionally, the scores across all conditions for the measures of the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), Affect Grid (affective valence and affective arousal), Rating Scale Mental Effort (RSME) and wordsearch task are included. The psychophysiological measures of heart rate variability (HRV) and mean heart rate (HR) are also included. For HRV and HR, specifically, we present mean HR, minimum HR, maximum HR, standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN), HR standard deviation and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). z-scores (i.e. standardised scores) for each variable are also included. Note that each participant was exposed to six experimental conditions (high load/fast tempo, high load/slow tempo, high load/no music, low load/fast music, low load/slow music and low load/no music). Accordingly, the measures that pertain to each trial (i.e. NASA-TLX, RSME, Affect Grid, wordsearch task, HRV indices, risk ratings, mean speed, brake pedal use and accelerator pedal use) appear six times in the data file. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Interactive_Effects_of_Task_Load_and_Music_Tempo_on_Psychologi...
 
Title Interactive Effects of Task Load and Music Tempo on Psychological, Psychophysiological and Behavioural Outcomes During Simulated Driving 
Description AbstractData were checked for univariate outliers using standardised scores (z > ± 3.29) and for multivariate outliers using the Mahalanobis distance test (p < .001; Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019). Data were also examined for the parametric assumptions that underlie within-subjects ANOVA (Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019), other than the behavioural data from video analysis, which were derived from frequency counts. Where the assumption of sphericity was violated, Greenhouse-Geisser-adjusted F tests were used. Initial analyses employed repeated-measures (RM) 2 (Load) × 3 (Tempo) (M)ANOVAs for the three psychological measures (i.e., RSME, NASA-TLX, and Affect Grid) and cardiac measures (HR and HRV indices). Additionally, exploratory analyses were conducted using a mixed-model approach, adopting the between-subject factors of personality (introvert vs. extrovert), sex (women vs. men), and age group (young adults vs. middle-aged adults). Significant F tests were followed up with pairwise/multiple comparisons, or in the case of interaction effects, examination of 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to identify where differences lay. Behavioural data were collated for the urban environment (high load) simulation under the following categories: (a) video data pertaining to four triggers (pedestrian, garbage truck, traffic lights, and vehicle cutting); (b) and simulator-derived data from the accelerator and brake pedal positions (i.e., 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximum braking); (c) mean speed (mph), and (d) course completion time (min). For the highway environment (low load), simulator data were collated for: (a) accelerator and brake pedal positions; (b) mean speed, and (c) completion time. From among these data, where parametric assumptions were not met and transformations would not serve to normalise the distribution, nonparametric analyses was adopted using rank-based, nonparametric tests. Specifically, the Wald-type statistic (WTS) and the ANOVA-type statistic (ATS) was computed within the nparLD package (Noguchi et al., 2012) of data analysis software R. In the absence of the load factor for the trigger and pedal data, a within-subjects, one-way ANOVA for the effect of music tempo was computed. In the exploratory analyses, a factorial approach was used, with a series of mixed-model ANOVAs 3 ([Tempo] × 2 [Personality], 3 [Tempo] × 2 [Sex], and 3 [Tempo] × 2 [Age Group]). Note that the main effect of tempo for trigger and pedal data is relevant to the main analysis but in the interest of parsimony is incorporated within exploratory factorial analyses.Detailed Description of Data FileThis SPSS data file contains the demographic data (i.e. sex, age, age group [1 = young adult, 2 = middle-aged adult], personality [1 = introvert, 2 = extrovert]) for each of the 46 participants (presented with one participant per row). Behavioural measures relating to the driving simulation are included. These include the elapsed time (mins) for each trial. Also, mean speed (mph), brake pedal use (i.e. 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximal braking), accelerator pedal use (i.e., 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximal acceleration) and risk ratings (on a scale from 1 [safe driving] to 4 [reckless driving]). Note that these performance-related measures appear 12 times in total; that is for each simulator trigger (i.e. a pedestrian who walked at 5 km/h across a zebra crossing, a garbage truck that moved slowly in the left-hand lane and prompted an overtaking manoeuvre, traffic lights that changed to red, a slow vehicle on a stretch of road on which overtaking was prohibited and a vehicle that cut across unexpectedly at a four-way intersection) across all three high-load (urban) conditions. Additionally, the scores across all conditions for the measures of the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), Affect Grid (affective valence and affective arousal), Rating Scale Mental Effort (RSME) and wordsearch task are included. The psychophysiological measures of heart rate variability (HRV) and mean heart rate (HR) are also included. For HRV and HR, specifically, we present mean HR, minimum HR, maximum HR, standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN), HR standard deviation and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). z-scores (i.e. standardised scores) for each variable are also included. Note that each participant was exposed to six experimental conditions (high load/fast tempo, high load/slow tempo, high load/no music, low load/fast music, low load/slow music and low load/no music). Accordingly, the measures that pertain to each trial (i.e. NASA-TLX, RSME, Affect Grid, wordsearch task, HRV indices, risk ratings, mean speed, brake pedal use and accelerator pedal use) appear six times in the data file. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Our results showed that the driving setting had the most pronounced effect on the range of measures taken. For example, subjects' perceived mental load was more than twice higher in the urban setting, illustrating the high levels of concentration needed in this type of driving environment. An interesting finding emerged in terms of the subjects' emotions wherein the fast-tempo music kept them in a more activated mental state, regardless of the driving environment. The subjects were 35% more activated with fast-tempo music when compared to slow-tempo music, and 21% more activated when compared to no music (i.e. traffic noise). Young adults driving without music in an urban environment felt more agitated (i.e. reported higher levels of mental arousal) and found the journey less pleasurable than driving without music in a highway environment. Specifically, in an urban environment, young adults were 35% more mentally aroused without music compared to fast music, and 52% more mentally aroused when compared to slow music. Also, young adults felt that driving in an urban environment with fast-tempo music delivered more than twice the pleasure of the same drive without music. In terms of middle-aged adults, it is noticeable that in an urban environment, there was no difference in their mental arousal scores between slow-tempo music and having no music. They were, however, stimulated by fast-tempo music in a similar manner to young adults. In terms of cardiac measures, it appeared that fast-tempo music was suboptimal, as it led to 22% less variability in heart rate when compared to slow-tempo music, and 21% less when compared to no music. This means that fast-tempo music possibly caused higher levels of physiological stress, regardless of the age group. Assessments of driving behaviour showed that the fast-tempo music led to the highest risk ratings, in terms of running red lights. Specifically, 27% higher risk ratings when compared to slow-tempo music and 26% higher when compared to no music. It emerged that in overtaking manoeuvres, men took 24% more risk than women, regardless of the music they listened to. Also with overtaking, extroverts accelerated 30% more (i.e. pressed harder on the accelerator pedal) when listening to fast-tempo music compared to introverts. In addition, when listening to slow-tempo music, extroverts accelerated 15% more compared to introverts (i.e. they drove more assertively). The take-home message from this study is that drivers in mentally demanding, urban settings should exercise caution in their use of up-tempo music. 
URL https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Interactive_Effects_of_Task_Load_and_Music_Tempo_on_Psychologi...
 
Title Music and Simulated Urban Driving Dataset 
Description Checks for univariate outliers were conducted using standardised scores (z > ± 3.29) and for multivariate outliers using the Mahalanobis distance test (p < .001; Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019). Parametric assumptions that underlie within-subjects ANOVA (Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019) were assessed (e.g., Q-Q plots and the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality). Initial analyses for the psychological measures (i.e., RSME, NASA-TLX and Affect Grid) were conducted using mixed-model Condition × Personality (M)ANOVAs and significant F tests were followed up with pairwise/multiple comparisons. Where the assumption of sphericity was violated, Greenhouse-Geisser-adjusted F tests were used. Three types of behavioural data were acquired from the urban driving simulation: (a) a risk-rating (on the scale from 1 [safe driving] to 4 [reckless driving]) derived from video data (without any audible sound) and pertaining to driving performance in the entire trial. Three members of the research team conducted the ratings and inter-rater reliabilities were computed; (b) course completion time (min); (c) mean speed (mph), and (d) accelerator and brake pedal positions (i.e., 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximum braking). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Music_and_Simulated_Urban_Driving_Dataset/13603334
 
Title Music and Simulated Urban Driving Dataset 
Description Checks for univariate outliers were conducted using standardised scores (z > ± 3.29) and for multivariate outliers using the Mahalanobis distance test (p < .001; Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019). Parametric assumptions that underlie within-subjects ANOVA (Tabachnick & Fidell, 2019) were assessed (e.g., Q-Q plots and the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality). Initial analyses for the psychological measures (i.e., RSME, NASA-TLX and Affect Grid) were conducted using mixed-model Condition × Personality (M)ANOVAs and significant F tests were followed up with pairwise/multiple comparisons. Where the assumption of sphericity was violated, Greenhouse-Geisser-adjusted F tests were used. Three types of behavioural data were acquired from the urban driving simulation: (a) a risk-rating (on the scale from 1 [safe driving] to 4 [reckless driving]) derived from video data (without any audible sound) and pertaining to driving performance in the entire trial. Three members of the research team conducted the ratings and inter-rater reliabilities were computed; (b) course completion time (min); (c) mean speed (mph), and (d) accelerator and brake pedal positions (i.e., 0 = no pressure applied, 1 = maximum braking). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This dataset is from WP3 titled "Psychological, psychophysiological and behavioural effects of participant-selected vs. researcher-selected music in simulated urban driving" and published in the periodical Applied Ergonomics in October 2021. We investigated the effects of subject self-selected and scientifically selected music playlists on the mental state and driving behaviours of 27 young men (average age = 20.6 years). The main focus of the study was on the musical quality of tempo coupled with who selected the music (the subject themselves vs. the researchers). The subjects selected their favourite slow (60-70 bpm) and fast (130-140 bpm) tracks for urban driving, whereas the research team created a playlist deemed optimal for this driving environment (90-100 bpm). The researchers used emotional profiling and an analysis of the psycho-acoustic properties of music in the design of their bespoke playlist for urban driving. The experiment included four simulated driving conditions that comprised self-selected fast-tempo music, self-selected slow-tempo music, scientifically selected music and an urban traffic-noise control. All experimental conditions were administered at a standardised sound intensity of 70 decibels (equivalent to the loudness of a vacuum cleaner). The group of young men was analysed to establish their personality profiles and they were then divided into two groups: introverts and extroverts. A key finding was that the self-selected slow-tempo music, as well as the scientifically selected playlist, optimised the emotional state of the young drivers. In both of these conditions, young drivers experienced 47% more pleasure (i.e. a better mood) compared to no music (i.e. urban traffic noise). Moreover, these conditions prompted a moderate level of mental arousal that was 30% lower than that reported in the control condition (urban traffic noise). It is notable that self-selected slow music reduced the young drivers' frustration by 38% when compared to no music. In terms of driving performance, it was clear that self-selected slow music led to the young drivers making 23% less use of the brake pedal, perhaps due to better anticipation of traffic signals and obstacles in the road. A range of physiological measures was taken in addition to the psychological and behavioural measures. These included blink rate, heart rate and variability in heart rate, but such measures showed no differences across conditions. This means that although the music influenced subjects' mental state and behaviour, it had no measurable effect on their physiological functioning. Comparisons of the two personality groups showed that, compared to extroverts, introverts drove at a lower speed (i.e. observing the speed limit) and attracted lower risk ratings, when listening to self-selected slow-tempo music. However, regardless of what music was played, extroverts had a tendency to drive 10% faster than introverts. Extroverts are known to seek sensation and stimulation from their environment, and so need to remain mindful of becoming overstimulated, driving too fast, and compromising their safety as well as that of other road users. Interestingly, the introverts drove 25% slower with self-selected slow-tempo music when compared to self-selected fast-tempo music. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential benefit of self-selected slow-tempo and scientifically selected music, in optimising young drivers' emotional state for a simulated urban driving task. Drivers with an introverted personality might consider the use of slow-tempo music to optimise their emotional state and thus enhance their safety on urban roads. The main impact of the study is to get policy makers and the general public thinking about the role of personality in the selection of music for urban driving. 
URL https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Music_and_Simulated_Urban_Driving_Dataset/13603334/1
 
Title Psychological and psychophysiological effects of music intensity and lyrics on simulated urban driving 
Description The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of musical characteristics (i.e., presence of lyrics and loudness) in the context of simulated urban driving. Previous work has seldom isolated musical characteristics and examined these both singularly and interactively. We investigated the potentially distracting effects of processing lyrics through exposing young drivers to the same piece of music with/without lyrics and at different sound intensities (60 dBA [soft] and 75 dBA [loud]) using a counterbalanced, within-subjects design (N = 34; Mage = 22.2 years, SD = 2.0 years). Six simulator conditions were included that comprised low-intensity music with/without lyrics, high-intensity music with/without lyrics, plus two controls - ambient in-car noise and spoken lyrics. Between-subjects variables of driving style (defensive vs. assertive) and sex (women vs. men) were explored. A key finding was that the no lyrics/soft condition yielded lower affective arousal scores when compared to the other music conditions. There was no main effect of condition for HRV data (SDNN and RMSSD). Exploratory analyses showed that, for assertive drivers, NASA-TLX Performance scores were lower in the no lyrics/soft condition compared to the lyrics/loud condition. Moreover, women exhibited higher mean heart rate than men in the presence of lyrics. Although some differences emerged in subjective outcomes, these were not replicated in HRV, which was used as an objective index of emotionality. Drivers should consider the use of soft, non-lyrical music to optimise their affective state during urban driving. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Six simulator conditions were included in the experiment and these comprised low-volume music with or without lyrics, high-volume music with or without lyrics plus two control conditions - ambient in-car noise and spoken lyrics. As part of the analysis, we grouped the subjects by driving style (defensive vs. assertive) and gender (males vs. females). A key finding is that soft music with no lyrics resulted in lower levels of mental arousal when compared to the other music conditions (37% lower compared to loud music with lyrics, 21% lower compared to soft music with lyrics, and 14% lower compared to loud music with no lyrics). The analyses showed that assertive drivers perceived their driving performance to be superior by 33% when they were played loud music with lyrics when compared to soft music with lyrics. This suggests that assertive drivers, who have a tendency to take more risks on the road, feel that they can drive best with loud, lyrical music, which at the same time has the potential to distract them. The corresponding measures of driving performance (e.g. average speed) did not suggest that assertive drivers performed best with loud, lyrical music. In the gender comparison, females exhibited a 7% higher average heart rate than males when lyrical music was used, regardless of its loudness. Clearly, the lyrical music was somewhat more evocative for the female drivers. The main implication of this study from a safety perspective, is that drivers should consider the use of soft, non-lyrical music (i.e. instrumental music) to optimise their mental state when driving in a stressful urban environment. The fact that loud, lyrical music can be a sub-optimal choice for urban driving was picked up by the national press and the key messages were disseminated by publications such as The Times. 
URL https://figshare.com/s/2133aca4a58bfebdb407
 
Description Collaboration with the Direct Line Group to disseminate the findings of this ESRC project 
Organisation Direct Line Group plc
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have been working on a social media, national media and public engagement campaign with Project Partners the Direct Line Group that will coincide with publication of the main outputs from the project. Direct Line have us working with their PR company, Citigate Dewe Rogerson, and we have been having regular planning meetings. We expect to start publishing outputs from the project from the summer 2021. Brunel University London's Press Office have been represented at the meetings with Direct Line and Citigate Dewe Rogerson.
Collaborator Contribution The Project Partner has been offering excellent advice on maximising the impact of the project findings, linking to key themes of road safety - particularly in terms of young and new drivers, and providing us with guidance on how exactly to 'package' the study findings for public dissemination. To date, only planning work has occurred and dissemination with the Direct Line Group will take place in the summer of 2021.
Impact This collaboration is multi-disciplinary in nature and outputs/outcomes will ensue in the summer of 2021.
Start Year 2018
 
Description A presentation relating to Work Package 1 findings to the Brain. Cognition. Emotion. Music. conference to be hosted by the University of Kent, 20-21 May 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This was a conference paper submission that has been accepted for the Brain. Cognition. Emotion. Music. conference 2020, which will take place from 20-21 May 2020. The paper pertains to Work Package 1 (WP1) from the 'Riding Along In My Automobile' project, the data processing and analyses for which have just been completed. Specifically the paper deals with the influence of music intensity and lyrics on cognition and emotion during simulated urban driving. It will present a subset of the data from WP1 primarily to postgraduate students with an interest in music psychology and associated fields.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.kent.ac.uk/events/event/44012/brain-cognition-emotion-and-music-the-quartet-with-a-missi...
 
Description A press release on the Direct Line Group website in relation to WP1, which was titled "Psychological and psychophysiological effects of music intensity and lyrics on simulated urban driving". 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This was a means by which the Project Partner, Direct Line Insurance, could disseminate some of the key practical recommendations that emanated from WP1 to their customers and to the general public:

"Direct Line and Brunel have provided the following top five tips for choosing the safest music for driving:
1. Keep it calm: Avoid aggressive lyrics as these can prompt dangerous and risk-taking driving behaviours such as jumping red lights and speeding
2. Keep it simple: Music that is highly syncopated or rhythmically complicated should also be avoided
3. Keep it quieter: The music volume shouldn't be excessive and kept at under 75 decibels, otherwise there is an increased risk of missing important sounds, such as an approaching motorcycle
4. Keep it classic: It is advisable to use familiar, well-known tracks or those from the driver's preferred genre, which are likely to have more of a feel-good flavour
5. Keep it light: Avoid music that might have a negative impact on emotional state"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2021/new-study-reveals-potential-negative-impac...
 
Description An article in The Mirror relating to the findings of WP2 titled "Interactive effects of task load and music tempo on psychological, psychophysiological and behavioural outcomes during simulated driving", which was part of the public dissemination plan with Project Partner, Direct Line Insurance. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This was part of the dissemination plan for WP2 and linked the findings of WP2 to popular Christmas songs in order to get the key scientific messages across to the general public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-mirror/20211211/282338273172789
 
Description An article in The Times relating to WP1, which was titled "Psychological and psychophysiological effects of music intensity and lyrics on simulated urban driving". The interview was facilitated by Project Partner, Direct Line Indurance. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact The article in The Times was germane to the plans we had with Project Partner Direct Line relating to dissemination of the findings emanating from WP1.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-karaoke-hits-can-drive-you-to-distraction-2t7j6g68q
 
Description An international conference presentation titled ''Facilitative and debilitative effects of in-car music listening: A multi-study perspective" at the 29th Annual Conference of the Research Institute of Human Factors in Road Safety. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The main aim of this programme of research that was presented was to further understanding of the singular and interactive effects of music characteristics (i.e., tempo, presence of lyrics, sound intensity) and agency in music selection in the context of simulated driving. These effects were examined through exposing participants to a range of music-related experimental and control trials using a high-grade simulator. In Study 1 (N = 34), a key finding was that a no lyrics/soft condition yielded lower affective arousal scores when compared to other music conditions (i.e., lyrics/loud, lyrics/soft and no lyrics/loud). There was no main effect of condition for heart rate variability (HRV) data. Nonetheless, Women exhibited higher mean HR than men in the presence of lyrics. Using a K-means cluster analysis, we identified two groups of drivers using the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory. For assertive drivers, NASA-TLX Performance scores were lower in the no lyrics/soft condition compared to the lyrics/loud condition. In Study 2 (N = 46), affective arousal scores were higher in a fast-tempo vs. slow-tempo condition in a high-load (urban) driving environment. A main effect of music tempo emerged for the HRV index of standard deviation of all normal R-R (N-N) intervals (SDNN), with fast-tempo music eliciting lower scores than both slow-tempo and no-music conditions. Fast-tempo music resulted in the highest risk rating scores for a traffic-light trigger. In Study 3 (N = 27), the presence of participant selected, slow-tempo music and researcher selected music optimised affective valence and arousal for an urban driving task. NASA-TLX scores indicated that an urban traffic-noise control condition increased Mental Demand compared to participant selected, slow-tempo music. In the participant selected, slow-tempo condition, less use was made of the brake pedal. When compared to extroverts, introverts recorded lower mean speed and attracted lower risk ratings under participant selected, slow-tempo music. Collectively, the findings indicate that drivers should avoid loud, lyrical music when in an urban or mentally demanding driving environment. Slow-to-medium tempo music is more likely to promote safety-relevant behaviour on urban roads, particularly in the case of drivers with an introverted personality. Several questions were asked about the programme of ESRC-funded research and the PI made some good contacts (inc. Professor Warren Brodsky, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, who attended the conference and is a leading international authority on music and driving).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.biu.ac.il/en/news/9272
 
Description Conference presentation at Art in Motion 2021, Munich, Germany 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This was a conference paper submission that has been accepted for Art in Motion 2020, which actually took place from 4-5 June 2021, due to the global pandemic. The paper pertains to Work Package 1 (WP1) from the 'Riding Along In My Automobile' project, the data processing and analyses for which were completed a year ago. Specifically the paper deals with psychological and psychophysiological effects of music intensity and lyrics on simulated urban driving. It presented a subset of the data from WP1 to individuals with an interest in music psychology and associated fields.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.artinmotion2021.com/
 
Description Dynaudio Magazine article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I gave an interview about music and driving, with detail predicated on the ESRC-funded programme of research to Richard Gray, a journalist for Dynaudio Magazine. The title of Richard's piece is 'How Music Alters Your Mind'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://read.dynaudio.com/dynaudio/magazine/dynaudio-magazine-2-2018/?Page=54&page=50
 
Description Interview of PI with BBC Radio Scotland in relation to the findings of WP1 titled "Psychological and psychophysiological effects of music intensity and lyrics on simulated urban driving". 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The PI was interviewed by BBC Radio Scotland for their Drivetime show in relation to the findings of WP1. The questioning was around the dangers of using music during driving and also how to optimise music choices for driving under different conditions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zt0n
 
Description Interview with the Daily Telegraph 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I was interviewed by James Hall of the Daily Telegraph for a piece titled, "The science of music: how it controls everything from taste to our spending habits". The inspiration for the piece came from the music-related exhibition at the Manchester Science and Industry Museum, at which there was a contribution from the ESRC-funded programme of work (see https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/turn-it-up).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/science-music-how-controls-everything-taste-spending-habit...
 
Description Music and Driving Exhibition at the Manchester Science and Industry Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The Manchester Science and Industry Museum has built a driving simulator out of wood with space for a driver and passenger to interact with the exhibit. This is part of an exhibition that will tour around Europe and is titled, "Turn It Up: The Power of Music". The simulator provides two music tracks - one suitable for urban driving and one suitable for motorway driving. Visitors to the museum are asked to consider which of two music tracks that they are invited to listen to would be more appropriate for safe city driving. They can then open the glove compartment to find details about the tracks and how they influence driver psychology.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/turn-it-up
 
Description Podcast on Music and Performance 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This was a podcast with Dr Steve Ingham of 'Supporting Champions' that examined the various relationships between music and human performance. As part of the discussion, we discussed the findings of the ESRC-funded project on music and driving. Specifically, how music choice can be optimised behind the wheel with reference to situational demands (e.g. urban vs. highway driving).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/117-costas-karageorghis-on-music-and-performance/
 
Description The PI gave an invited presentation to Brunel University's London's early-career academics (ECAs) about the ESRC-funded programme of research and how to disseminate findings from such a programme using a variety of media channels. The presentation was titled "Building impact into your research - media promotion: 'Riding Along In My Automobile' - musically-induced emotions and driving behaviour". 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact A presentation on the ESRC programme of research to Brunel University London's early career academics and how to use a variety of media to promote their research. Examples were provided from the ESRC programme (e.g., webinars, presentations, social media, press releases, radio interviews).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://staff.brunel.ac.uk/directorates/graduate-school/training-and-development-opportunities
 
Description This Brunel University London press release uses parts of a Direct Line Group press release to disseminate findings from WP2, which was titled "Interactive effects of task load and music tempo on psychological, psychophysiological and behavioural outcomes during simulated driving". 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact This was part of the dissemination plan for WP2 and linked the findings of WP2 to popular Christmas songs in order to get the key scientific messages across to the general public. The appearance of this piece on the Brunel University London website came about through the collaboration of the Direct Line Group PR agency (Citigate Dewe Rogerson) and Brunel's Media Office.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/Why-Driving-Home-for-Christmas-may-not-be-the...
 
Description This was part of the public dissemination work conducted in relation to the findings of WP2 titled "Interactive effects of task load and music tempo on psychological, psychophysiological, and behavioural outcomes during simulated driving", which was coordinated by Project Partner, Direct Line Group. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This was part of the dissemination plan for WP2 and linked the findings of WP2 to popular Christmas songs in order to get the key scientific messages across to the general public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/driving-home-christmas-very-dangerous-22424132
 
Description Visiting professor programme, seminar and conference at Toulouse Jean Jaures University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Around 20 staff members and students from Toulouse Jean Jaures University attended a seminar where I presented the main results of the three studies ocnducted during the time of the Riding Along project. The audience was receptive to the nature of the study and asked further details about the results and the experimental protocol.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022