Drivers' Detection and Identification of Head-up versus Head-down Telltale Warnings in Automobiles

Abstract

Previous automotive head-up display (HUD) research reported in the human factors literature has focused almost exclusively on the presentation of speed information. This paper, however, reports the results of a study which focused on telltale warning detection and identification. In this on-road study, eight younger (21 to 36 years) and eight older (63 to 72 years) drivers were tested. During a short familiarization drive, an unexpected brake telltale was presented up to four times in either a head-up or head-down display condition. The ability of drivers to detect (i.e., visually fixate upon) and identify (i.e., report) the brake telltale was assessed via self-reports and video analysis of the drivers’ eye movements in response to telltale onsets. Later in the study, drivers were explicitly instructed to perform various tasks, including telltale detection, under both display conditions. Detection rates for an expected brake telltale were analyzed. Results of the study suggest that drivers will detect and identify briefly presented telltale warnings sooner, and with greater probability, when they are presented on a HUD as opposed to a conventional head-down display.