EEG Network Analysis During the Acceleration and Deceleration Phases of Driving

Driving requires dynamic neural coordination, especially during acceleration and deceleration in car-following scenarios. This study investigates EEG-based functional brain networks associated with these two behaviors from a high-fidelity driving simulator. Functional connectivity networks were constructed via Lasso regression, with regression coefficients representing inter-channel connection strengths. Results show that deceleration elicits denser and more globally integrated brain networks, particularly involving frontal and central regions, while acceleration engages more localized connectivity in occipital and sensorimotor areas. The results show that acceleration requires sensorimotor integration and spatial attention, while deceleration requires inhibitory ability. These findings highlight distinct neural mechanisms underlying acceleration and braking, offering potential for EEG-based driver monitoring and cognitive load assessment in intelligent driving systems.