In-vehicle Information Research Articles

Trade-off between context and objectivity in an analytic approach to the evaluation of in-vehicle interfaces

This study presents a case study to explore an analytic approach to the evaluation of in-vehicle information system (IVIS) usability, aimed at an early stage in product development with low demand on resources. Five methods were selected: hierarchical task analysis (HTA), multimodal critical path analysis (CPA), systematic human error reduction and prediction approach (SHERPA), heuristic analysis and layout analysis. The methods were applied in an evaluation of two IVIS interfaces: a touch screen and a remote controller. The findings showed that there was a trade-off between the objectivity of a method and consideration of the context of use: this has implications for the usefulness of analytic evaluation. An extension to the CPA method is proposed as a solution to enable more objective comparisons of IVIS, whilst accounting for context in terms of the dual-task driving environment.

Cross-regional in-vehicle information system design: the preferences and comprehension of Australian, US and Chinese drivers

The increasing global distribution of automobiles necessitates that the design of in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) is appropriate for the regions to which they are being exported. Differences between regions such as culture, language, environment and traffic context can have important influences on the usability and acceptance of IVIS and, as a consequence, on driving performance and safety. This pilot study examined the cross-regional factors that may influence IVIS preferences and comprehension, across three regions: Australia, China and the United States. The study used an online questionnaire to examine drivers' preferences for, and comprehension of, a range of surface-level aspects of IVIS interfaces. Cross-regional factors including cultural values, demographic and driving pattern data were also collected. The study was conducted locally within Australia, employing a sample of recently migrated American and Chinese and local Australian students. Regional differences were found in terms of current technology use, preferences for IVIS input control types and labels, and in the recognition and comprehension of IVIS functions and features. These findings are discussed within the framework of relevant regional differences. Based on the findings, a number of general and region-specific IVIS design recommendations are offered.

Universal Methodology for Iterative User Centered HMI Development and Testing

Large scale research projects often follow a holistic approach and investigate on solutions for a variety of stakeholders. Many times the holistic system includes interfaces for different users. This paper presents a universal development and testing methodology that guides the common development and testing of very different interfaces within a universal framework. The methodology is based on the systems engineering v-model and the international norm for a human-centred design processes for interactive systems (EN ISO 13407).The development process following this universal methodology is described by using as an example the interfaces developed within the EC funded SAFEWAY2SCHOOL project. The development included interfaces for in-vehicle information, pedestrian information on smartphones and a web-based inventory tool interface for data collection.

Haptic Addition to a Visual Menu Selection Interface Controlled by an In-Vehicle Rotary Device

Today, several vehicles are equipped with a visual display combined with a haptic rotary device for handling in-vehicle information system tasks while driving. This experimental study investigates whether a haptic addition to a visual interface interferes with or supports secondary task performance and whether haptic information could be used without taking eyes off road. Four interfaces were compared during simulated driving: visual only, partly corresponding visual-haptic, fully corresponding visual-haptic, and haptic only. Secondary task performance and subjective mental workload were measured. Additionally, the participants were interviewed. It was found that some haptic support improved performance. However, when more haptic information was used, the results diverged in terms of task completion time and interface comprehension. Some participants did not sense all haptics provided, some did not comprehend the correspondence between the haptic and visual interfaces, and some did. Interestingly, the participants managed to complete the tasks when using haptic-only information.

Evaluation of Rider's Support Systems in Power Two Wheelers (PTWs)

The study aimed to investigate the potential of In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) integration on motorcycles for the most crucial functionalities and develop efficient and rider-friendly interfaces and interaction elements for riders comfort and safety. The main objectives were to estimate the safety impact and user acceptance of the prototypes in a series of pilot applications within the SAFERIDER project.Field tests were conducted with a Piaggio MP3 Hybrid. The On-Bike Information System (OBIS) evaluated was the Navigation and Route guidance (NV, RG) with three different HMIs: Visual (display) Acoustic & Haptic (Smart Helmet). 18 riders (37 ±8.5 years old) participated in the field tests and completed a questionnaires’ battery on workload and user acceptance for each condition (i.e. HMI).Higher values were observed for the haptic HMI (5.5±1.21), then for the audio (4.51±0.84) and the lower for the visual display of the navigator (3.87±0.79) for both usability and acceptance. Sensory load is increased with the visual and audio HMI and decrease significantly (p<.05) with the vibration signals within the helmet. Moreover, the NV+RG experience was perceived as more stressful than the audio and haptic; with the latter being of significant magnitude (p<.05). Statistically significant higher physical activity is required in the visually demanding condition (Navigation and Route Guidance display) compared to the haptic signalling condition (p=.015). Safety, performance and derived enjoyment by the riding experience are increased and perceived risk is decreased.Overall, the haptic HMI was the most preferred and was perceived as safer for the Navigation and Route Guidance system. Moreover, most participants believed that they would use it in urban and unfamiliar traffic environments as it was more appealing and pleasant.

How shall we design the future vehicle for Chinese market

Surface transportation system is developing very fast in China and the number of vehicles is increasing quickly as well. This development creates a lot of problems on traffic safety and the number of accident is also increasing. In this paper, we made deep analysis of different possible causes of safety problems through three aspects: the traffic environment and infrastructure, in-vehicle information system design and the characteristics of drivers. There are many factors in each aspects may contribute to the transportation safety problems. Problems with infrastructure design and traffic design contribute over 50% of the traffic accident. Another important factor is that people has very little traffic safety concept and very weak on understanding the important of right behavior on the road. This paper has pointed the urgent needs to study the human factors in road and transportation system and vehicle HMI design, as there are very few such studies available in literature based on Chinese situation. The paper also proposed the needs to develop proactive educational system that can promote driver's understanding of traffic safety and to take the right action during drive.

Cooperative vehicle-infrastructure systems for improving driver information services: an analysis of COOPERS test results

Cooperative vehicle-infrastructure systems have great potential to improve driver information services. In this study, field test results of the COOPERS project were analysed to compare driver behavioural responses to warning/information provided by the COOPERS in-vehicle information systems against existing roadside information systems. Based on the analysis, it was found that with the COOPERS system, the test drivers slowed down earlier when approaching roadworks and better complied with the reduced speed limits applied through the roadwork zone than those when without the COOPERS system. Post-test questionnaire results showed that drivers like COOPERS services/systems, particularly the feature of indicating distance to the event site in the messaging.

The implications of cross-regional differences for the design of In-vehicle Information Systems: A comparison of Australian and Chinese drivers

The increasing global distribution of automobiles necessitates that the design of In-vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) is appropriate for the regions to which they are being exported. Differences between regions such as culture, environment and traffic context can influence the needs, usability and acceptance of IVIS. This paper describes two studies aimed at identifying regional differences in IVIS design needs and preferences across drivers from Australia and China to determine the impact of any differences on IVIS design. Using a questionnaire and interaction clinics, the influence of cultural values and driving patterns on drivers' preferences for, and comprehension of, surface- and interaction-level aspects of IVIS interfaces was explored. Similarities and differences were found between the two regional groups in terms of preferences for IVIS input control types and labels and in the comprehension of IVIS functions. Specifically, Chinese drivers preferred symbols and Chinese characters over English words and were less successful (compared to Australians) at comprehending English abbreviations, particularly for complex IVIS functions. Implications in terms of the current trend to introduce Western-styled interfaces into other regions with little or no adaptation are discussed.

The impact of smart driving aids on driving performance and driver distraction

In-vehicle information systems (IVIS) have been shown to increase driver workload and cause distraction, both of which are causal factors for accidents. This simulator study evaluates the impact that two prototype ergonomic designs for a smart driving aid have on workload, distraction and driving performance. Scenario complexity was also manipulated as an independent variable. Results showed that real-time delivery of smart driving information did not increase driver workload or adversely affect driver distraction, while also having the positive effect of decreasing mean driving speed in both the simple and complex driving scenarios. Subjective workload was shown to increase with task difficulty, as well as revealing important differences between the two interface designs. The findings are relevant to the development and implementation of smart driving interface designs in the future.

The UX Concept Design & Development for a Social Network-based In-Vehicle Information System in the Connected Vehicle Environment

The UX Concept Design & Development for a Social Network-based In-Vehicle Information System in the Connected Vehicle Environment

To twist or poke? A method for identifying usability issues with the rotary controller and touch screen for control of in-vehicle information systems

In-vehicle information systems (IVIS) can be controlled by the user via direct or indirect input devices. In order to develop the next generation of usable IVIS, designers need to be able to evaluate and understand the usability issues associated with these two input types. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a set of empirical usability evaluation methods for identifying important usability issues and distinguishing between the IVIS input devices. A number of usability issues were identified and their causal factors have been explored. These were related to the input type, the structure of the menu/tasks and hardware issues. In particular, the translation between inputs and on-screen actions and a lack of visual feedback for menu navigation resulted in lower levels of usability for the indirect device. This information will be useful in informing the design of new IVIS, with improved usability. Statement of Relevance: This paper examines the use of empirical methods for distinguishing between direct and indirect IVIS input devices and identifying usability issues. Results have shown that the characteristics of indirect input devices produce more serious usability issues, compared with direct devices and can have a negative effect on the driver–vehicle interaction.

In-Vehicle Information Systems to Meet the Needs of Drivers

In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVISs) integrate most of the secondary functions available within vehicles. These secondary functions are aimed at enhancing the driving experience. To successfully design and evaluate the performance of these systems, a thorough understanding of the task, user, and system is required. This article presents a review of these three variables in the context of IVISs, which aims to enhance understanding of this specific task–user–system interaction. A framework for modeling system performance for the task–user–system interaction is also proposed. This will allow designers and evaluators of IVISs to make predictions about system performance and to design systems that meet a set of criteria for usable IVISs.

Preparatory Processes and Compensatory Effort in Older and Younger Participants in a Driving-Like Dual Task

The nature of increased-age-related dual-task interference was examined during a driving-like dual task in the laboratory. Previous research revealed age-related deficits in dual tasks especially when cognitive and motor demands are involved. The specific contributions of sensory input, working memory demands, and/or coordination of motor responses to dual-task interference are not clear and should be clarified in the present study. Younger and older participants performed a driving-like tracking task and a visually cued attention task within a dual task. Behavioral and electrophysiological data were recorded during task performance. Overall tracking performance was lower for the older versus younger participants. This age-related decline was particularly pronounced in the time interval after the stimulus when the attention task demanded a motor response. In contrast, older participants tracked relatively better than the younger participants in the time interval preceding the stimulus. In the attention task, the older versus younger participants showed increased responses times and rates of false alarms and misses, suggesting a deficit in retaining the context in the cue-stimulus interval. The electroencephalogram data suggest that the older participants invested more resources than the younger participants in dual-task management during the cue-stimulus interval. Evidence was found for increased motor interference and a deficient context processing as well as for an increased investment of processing resources in the older compared with the younger group. The results suggest that in-vehicle information systems for older drivers should be designed to support cue maintenance and that simultaneous motor demands should not be required.

On-road assessment of in-vehicle driving workload for older drivers: Design guidelines for intelligent vehicles

There has been recent interest in intelligent vehicle technologies, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) or in-vehicle information systems (IVISs), that offer a significant enhancement of safety and convenience to drivers and passengers. However, the use of ADAS- and IVIS-based information devices may increase driver distraction and workload, which in turn can increase the chance of traffic accidents. The number of traffic accidents involving older drivers that are due to distraction, misjudgment, and delayed detection of danger, all of which are related to the drivers’ declining physical and cognitive capabilities, has increased. Because the death rate in traffic accidents is higher when older drivers are involved, finding ways to reduce the distraction and workload of older drivers is important. This paper generalizes driver information device operations and assesses the workload while driving by means of experiments involving 40 drivers in real cars under actual road conditions. Five driving tasks (manual only, manual primarily, visual only, visual primarily, and visual-manual) and three age groups (younger (20–29 years of age), middle-aged (40–49 years of age), and older (60–69 years of age)) were considered in investigating the effect of age-related workload difference. Data were collected from 40 drivers who drove in a real car under actual road conditions. The experimental results showed that age influences driver workload while performing in-vehicle tasks.

Editorial: Selected papers from the 2nd European Conference on Human Centred Design for Intelligent Transport Systems

On-board Traffic Information and Control Systems (TICS) or In-vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) for drivers are becoming more and more common these days. While driving, these systems provide information about the status of the vehicle, the optimal route, traffic jams, etc. Despite the usefulness of such systems, one could be concerned about the potential distraction and the additional cognitive load these systems impose on the driver, leading to an increased risk of accidents. Proper design of the Human- Machine-Interface (HMI) is unequivocally a key factor in balancing the demands for increasing functionality with the already existing physical and mental load of the driver.

Usability evaluation as part of iterative design of an in-vehicle information system

The potential of in-vehicle information systems (IVISs) to cause driver distraction highlights the need to ensure that such systems are designed in such a way that driver safety is not compromised. The human-centred design approach has much to offer in this regard. Central to this approach is that interface design is an iterative process, and that information on usability is collected as part of this process thus helping to inform system design. This study presents a case study, where the usability of three IVIS display presentation concepts for a music selection device was examined in each of the two phases of design iteration. In Phase 1, data on usability were collected through a cognitive walkthrough approach involving four human factors experts. In Phase 2, data were collected as part of an experimental lab-based study involving 30 potential users. The approach was effective in highlighting areas for design improvement and was sufficiently sensitive in differentiating the concepts on the basis of their usability. Suggestions for a further phase of usability evaluation as part of a subsequent IVIS design iteration are offered.

Simulator Study of Effects of Alternative Distraction Mitigation Strategies in Driver Workload Manager

This simulator study examined a workload manager developed by Delphi Electronics for the SAVE-IT program and the effects of several different workload mitigation strategies on driver response to a surprise forward collision hazard. The strategies included no in-vehicle task or distraction (baseline); task allowed; task interrupted; and task denied. Forty-eight test participants (24 males and 24 females) between 35 and 55 years of age were randomly assigned in groups of 12 (balanced for gender) to each of the four conditions. Each participant then drove in the Ford VIRTTEX moving-base driving simulator on simulated urban and rural roads and was asked to perform various in-vehicle tasks. During a requested in-vehicle information system task, a vehicle parked on the side of the road would suddenly enter the travel lane, and the driver's response was assessed. Braking response to this critical event indicated no significant differences in mean brake response time as a function of type of mitigation strategy or gender. However, variability in driver responses was significantly less in the task denied condition as compared with the other conditions, possibly because drivers were sensitized to an increased driving demand. Three of 12 test participants in the task interrupted condition showed relatively large brake reaction times attributable to long delays between initial foot motion and braking onset. This delay may indicate an additional delay associated with processing the task interruption and the forward collision warning event itself. Recommendations are provided for further research and for mitigation and driver alerting on the basis of a workload manager's assessment of the driving situation.

Evaluating the Visual Demand of In-Vehicle Information Systems

In-vehicle information systems (IVIS) provide a variety of driver support and infotainment functionality; however, there is a growing concern that the resulting engagement with IVIS could present significant sources of distraction to drivers. This paper summarises the PhD thesis of Dr Ainojie Alexander Irune, which was awarded at the University of Nottingham in December 2009. The primary aims of the research were to develop a framework to aid the selection of an appropriate HF/HCI method, for use at particular stages in the design process, and to develop a novel method (with a focus on glance duration) for assessing the visual demand afforded by IVIS. Five empirical studies are reported in the thesis. In the first study, interviews were conducted with subject experts and the results were combined with the literature to provide guidance regarding the appropriate use of human factors methods. The remaining four studies present an iterative development of a novel method capable of predicting the visual demand imposed by an IVIS.

The Effect of Prior Task Loading on Mental Workload

This study examined how transitions in task demand during a driving and navigation task manifested themselves as delayed adaptation in driver mental workload. A delayed reaction to changes in demand levels, termed hysteresis, has been identified in a number of settings. However, little research has specifically examined the driving task for hysteresis effects. A total of 32 drivers completed drives while using a navigation system that would fail within the drive. Subjective mental workload was recorded prior to and following system failure as well as at the conclusion of the drive. Results indicated that a gradual reduction in overall mental workload across trials and a lagged recovery to reduction in task demand was present within trials. Analysis of the mental workload subscales within trials indicated that this effect was produced by the mental effort component of workload. A moderate hysteresis effect is present in mental workload transitions within the driving task. Although subjective mental workload decreases across trials, the magnitude of the lagged recovery within trials remains unchanged. Scaling of in-vehicle information is beneficial with respect to driver mental workload. Display and communication technologies designers should consider not only the immediate task demand but also the driver's task demand history when determining what and how to provide information.

Driver workload and eye blink duration

The use of standardized methods in driver distraction research is essential for comparing results across studies. This work examined the effects of in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) usage on eye blinks in a simulated Lane Change Test (LCT), a simple driving task specifically designed by the International Organization for Standardization. Fifteen participants performed the LCT in a driving simulator in both single- and dual-task conditions, the latter manipulated by introducing an IVIS task in the car cockpit. Results suggest that blink duration (BD), with respect to blink rate (BR), is a more sensitive and reliable indicator of driver visual workload. Besides considering mean BD values, a detailed analysis revealed that the distribution of BD follows a Gaussian-like curve in normal driving conditions: three duration classes (short, medium, long) were extracted from such distribution, and changes happening to each class were analyzed within the dual-task conditions. Short and long blinks reflect, respectively, the effects of visual workload and time on task: more short blinks occur with an IVIS interaction during driving, while more long blinks arise as time spent driving increases. These results may have practical implications for system design in automotive.