Task-Dependent Modulation of Feedback Control in Human Steering

We examined whether human steering behavior conforms to optimal feedback control (OFC) principles when driving a vehicle through sequences of upcoming gates varying in width (narrow/wide) relative to the vehicle's size, while occasional lateral velocity perturbations elicited corrective steering responses. In 24 participants, three predictions of OFC were tested: (1) greater positional variability when passing wide gates; (2) reduced corrective steering (lower feedback gains) to perturbations for wide compared to narrow gates (minimum intervention); and (3) modulation of feedback gains according to the relative spatial configuration of upcoming gates. Steering data were analyzed in terms of vehicle position and control velocity, the latter representative of feedback gain modulations. Results supported all predictions. When no perturbations occurred, participants showed wider distributions of passing locations through wide gates, consistent with allowing more task-relevant variability. During perturbed trials, feedback gains were lower for wide gates, confirming context-dependent control. When both gate types were center aligned, feedback responses were symmetric, whereas alignment of inner posts produced asymmetric feedback gains, being stronger for outward perturbations in narrow gates. Overall, these findings indicate that participants adapt their feedback control strategies to task-specific spatial constraints, demonstrating flexible optimization of steering control behavior.