Usability of the Graphic Information, Navigation Systems and Cars for Seniors and Disabled

Abstract

Authors conducted survey and conversion of information on space and aviation ergonomics to the car, computer, navigation and communication systems design. These achievements and methods are particularly important for the fast growing needs and market of special solutions for elderly and disabled drivers. New principles (“laws”) of automotive ergonomics and methods of individual adaptation of human-computer dialogue were developed based on theory of ergodynamics (Venda and Venda, 1995). They were applied to usability analysis of navigation systems for vision and hearing impaired and other drivers who need a customized car and driver-computer dialogue. We studied experimentally perception of navigation maps by drivers with different vision disabilities (anomalies). 45 people of the ages of 20–30 and 60 subjects of the ages 55–75 with different types of astigmatism participated in the experiment. We displayed information by projecting slides on a screen, with a computer display, with a TV display, LCD panel and with various point lighting matrices. We changed the shape of the symbols, the distance of perception, vision angle, general lighting on the work station, brightness and contrast of the symbols on the screens.