Developing a novel energy-based approach for measuring mental workload

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Human Factors Engineering
• Construction Management

Background:

• Quantifying mental workload (MWL) in construction is challenging due to industry complexity.
• Existing methods for MWL assessment are limited, especially for non-invasive, task-level evaluations.
• Worker mental well-being is a critical concern in demanding construction environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel, non-invasive conceptual model for assessing construction worker mental workload at the task level.
• To utilize the energy concept as a basis for quantifying perceived mental workload.
• To provide a practical tool for measuring the impact of construction tasks on worker MWL.

Main Methods:

• A conceptual model for assessing mental workload was developed from literature and interviews.
• The Delphi method, involving four rounds of expert surveys, was used for model characterization and verification.
• Literature review and expert insights informed the identification of model constituents and components.

Main Results:

• The study identified 14 constituents and 51 components for measuring mental workload.
• A novel energy-based model was developed, incorporating specific metrics for each component.
• Initial verification of the energy-based model was achieved through the Delphi method.

Conclusions:

• A novel, non-invasive energy-based model offers a new method for assessing task-level mental workload in construction.
• This energy-based assessment model provides a practical tool for measuring the potential impact of construction tasks on perceived worker mental workload.
• The developed model contributes to understanding and managing worker mental well-being in the construction industry.