The effects of vibration frequencies on physical, perceptual and cognitive performance

In the study of crewmember performance in land-driven vehicles, it is necessary to consider the effects of vibration on the human body. The Advanced Vehicle Architecture for a Net enabled Combat Environment Technology Demonstrator Project (ADVANCE TDP) aims to demonstrate improved crew performance using an integrated multi-layered vectronics network, supported by an active suspension system that stabilizes the vehicle platform. This review discusses the effects of different frequencies and magnitudes of vibration on specific aspects of performance: manual control, vision, perception and cognition. The results of the numerous studies that have been done on manual tracking and visual acuity during vibration exposure have been well-documented and summarized. It has been demonstrated that vibration does not significantly affect performance on simple perceptual tasks involving auditory or visual detection of signals. Vibration has been shown to have a negative effect on complex cognitive tasks; however, vibration frequency or magnitude dependencies have not been proven.