Evaluating attentional responses to electric vehicle driving noise through event-related potentials: a frequency bands analysis

The advent of electric vehicles (EVs), known for their quieter operation compared to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, has shifted auditory attention towards wind and road noise. This shift is further accentuated by the anticipated future dominance of autonomous vehicles, which is expected to reduce the cognitive demands of driving, potentially heightening sensitivity to external noise and leading to increased annoyance and discomfort. This research investigates the impact of driving noise on selective attention by identifying sounds that significantly disrupt adaptation to driving noise through the analysis of event-related potentials (ERPs). Unlike previous studies that concentrated on the peak high-frequency driving noise fluctuations around 1000 Hz, our study explores a broader spectrum of higher frequencies. By recording brain responses to driving-related auditory stimuli, we detected variations in ERPs across different frequency bands, thereby pinpointing the acoustic characteristics most disruptive to concentration. Our findings aim to contribute towards enhancing driver focus and improving the acoustic comfort inside vehicle cabins.