Back Behind The Wheel: Musically Induced Emotions and Driving Behaviour in an Immersive Simulator

Music listening is one of the most common activities that people engage in when behind the wheel. The aim of the present study was to raise situational awareness of both the risks and benefits associated with in-vehicle music use via a highly engaging simulator experience. To do so, we offered participants an interactive experience in an immersive and high-fidelity simulator, where they were required to navigate a dynamic city centre environment. We collected data to ascertain the impact of the simulation task on users’ road safety awareness. We also assessed how participants responded to two contrasting music conditions in psychological (e.g. pleasure, mental workload, intention to use) terms. The trials were administered using a within-subjects design, with 3 × 3 min scenarios for each participant in a counterbalanced order. An urban driving simulation was employed with facilitative music, debilitative music and a no-music (urban traffic noise) control condition. Each experimental condition included one of three potential hazardous event – a delivery rider on the side of a road, a dog crossing or a parked car. Results showed no effect of the type of music or event on self-reported emotions and workload. However, both young and more experienced participants indicated that using an immersive driving simulator raised their awareness of safe driving behaviours vis-à-vis in-vehicle music.