CONTROL MOVEMENT COMPATIBILITY
Introduction: Control movement compatibility refers to the expected relationships between control actuation movements and the corresponding movements or changes in the system being controlled. Making control movements consistent with the driver's expectations can decrease reaction times, learning times, and control errors, and increase driver satisfaction with the vehicle's controls.
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Design Guidelines***
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System Function |
Control Movement |
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On |
Up, right, forward, pull |
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Off |
Down, left, rearward, push |
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Right |
Clockwise, right |
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Left |
Counterclockwise, left |
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Up |
Up, rearward |
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Down |
Down, forward |
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Increase |
Up, right, forward, clockwise |
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Decrease |
Down, left, rearward, counterclockwise |
Supporting Rationale: The control-movement-to-system-function relationships are recommended based on a review of several different human factors sources (see References 1 and 2). The optimum direction of movement for a given control depends on a number of factors, including: (1) the position of the operator relative to the control, (2) the position and direction of movement of any associated display, (3) the change resulting from the control movement, and (4) the control-movement-to-system-function relationships for other controls that the driver uses.
Special Design Considerations: According to Reference 3, it may be necessary to violate one compatibility relationship in order to take advantage of another one in the design of a system. An example of this is the rotary stalk control. In order to increase some parameter using the left-hand stalk, the control must be rotated up or counterclockwise. Although up is the correct movement for increasing a system function, counterclockwise is not. Therefore, the designer must determine which of the driver's expectations is stronger or which can be violated without affecting the driver's ability to effectively use the system.
Cross References:
Key References:
1. Chapanis, A., & Kinkade, R. G. (1972). Design of controls. In H. P. Van Cott & R. G. Kinkade (Eds.), Human engineering guide to equipment design (rev. ed.) (pp. 345-379). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
2. Sanders, M. S., & McCormick, E. J. (1993). Human factors in engineering and design (5th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill.
3. Rogers, S. P., & Campbell, J. L. (1991). Guidelines for automobile hand control locations and actuations based upon driver expectancies and ergonomic principles (TR 947-1). Santa Barbara, CA: Anacapa Sciences, Inc.
*Primarily expert judgement
** Expert judgement with supporting empirical data
***Empirical data with supporting expert judgement
****Primarily empirical data