Measuring Habituation to Auditory Warnings Using Behavioral and Physiological Data

Abstract

Habituation to auditory warnings is a phenomenon where an individual exposed to frequent auditory warnings responds slowly to them. Repetitive auditory warnings are triggered to prevent struck-by accidents in blind spots on construction equipment; however, these can cause habituation that may increase the likelihood of accidents. The current body of knowledge lacks any evidence quantitatively showing such phenomenon. This study aims at quantifying habituation to auditory warnings using behavioral and physiological data. In the construction equipment operation simulation developed for this study, participants pressed the brake pedal when they heard auditory warnings. Behavioral data included the reaction times (auditory warning trigger to the pedal pressing instant). In addition to the behavioral data, physiological features related to alertness from electroencephalography and electrodermal activity sensors were used to measure habituation to auditory warnings experienced by the participants. It was found that reaction time slowed down as the warnings repeated. Among the physiological features, the skin conductance level best measured habituation to auditory warnings. This study sheds light on the issue of habituation to auditory warnings in construction equipment and contributes to the reduction of the number of struck-by accidents in the construction industry. © 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.