Development of Human Factors Guidelines for Advanced Traveler Information Systems and Commercial Vehicle Operations: Driver Response to Unexpected Situations When Using an In-Vehicle Information System
DRIVER RESPONSE TO UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS WHEN USING AN IN–VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM
FIELD STUDY RESULTS WORKING PAPER
FOREWORD
This report is one of a series of reports produced as part of a contract designed to develop precise, detailed human factors design guidelines for Advanced Transportation Systems (ATIS) and Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO). Among the other topics discussed in the series are descriptions of ATIS/CVO functions, comparable systems analysis, task analysis of ATIS/CVO functions, definition and prioritization of research studies, and more than a dozen laboratory and field experiments.
This report describes the results of a field study conducted to investigate the effects of using an In–Vehicle Information System (IVIS) when the driver is confronted with unexpected situations. The study examines issues regarding benefits of an integrated IVIS, information density, and the impact of driver age on system use.
Copies of this report can be obtained through the Research and Technology Report Center, 9701 Philadelphia Court, Unit Q, Lanham, Maryland 20706, telephone: (301) 577–0818, fax: (301) 577–1421, or the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, telephone: (703) 605–6000, fax: (703) 605–6900.
Michael F. Trentacoste
Director, Office of Safety
Research and Development
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TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE
| 1. Report No. FHWA–RD–99–131 |
2. Government Accession No. |
3. Recipient's Catalog No. |
| 4. Title and Subtitle
DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN FACTORS GUIDELINES FOR ADVANCED TRAVELER INFORMATION SYSTEMS (ATIS) AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS
(CVO): DRIVER RESPONSE TO UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS WHEN USING AN IN–VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM
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5. Report Date December, 1999 |
| 6. Performing Organization Code |
| 7. Author(s)
Richard J. Hanowski, John P. Gallagher, Cheryl A. Kieliszewski, Thomas A. Dingus, Wayne Biever, Vicki Neale |
8. Performing Organization Report No. |
| 9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Center for Transportation Research
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
1700 Kraft Drive, Suite 200
Blacksburg, VA 24061–0536
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10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) 3B4C |
| 11. Contract or Grant No. DTFH61–92–C–00102 |
| 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Office of Safety and Traffic Operations R&D
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101–2296
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13. Type of Report and Period Covered Final Report |
| 14. Sponsoring Agency Code |
| 15. Supplementary Notes Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) – M. Joseph Moyer, HRDS |
| 16. Abstract
This investigation is one of a series of studies aimed at investigating Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) and Commercial
Vehicle Operations (CVO) applications and their effect on driver behavior and performance. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the
benefits and detriments of using an In–Vehicle Information System (IVIS) when the driver is confronted with unexpected situations. The IVIS used
in the present study included three in–vehicle subsystems: In–Vehicle Signing and Information Systems (ISIS), which provide redundant roadside
information, In–Vehicle Routing and Navigation Systems (IRANS), and In–Vehicle Safety Advisory and Warning Systems (IVSAWS). This research
focused on five primary areas: (1) the inclusion of unexpected situations, specifically external events and vehicle status warnings, (2) driver
notification of these events and warnings via an IVSAWS, (3) situation awareness of the driver when confronted with unexpected situations,
(4) the impact of IVIS display density on driver response to unexpected situations, and (5) older driver use of an IVIS when confronted with
unexpected situations. Three research questions were posed and investigated, each involving the use of an IVIS and response to unexpected situations:
(1) Do drivers derive a benefit from using an IVIS that has multiple subsystems, when confronted with an unexpected situation? (2) What impact
does IVIS information density have on driver's behavior and performance? and (3) What impact does driver age have on system use and measures
related to driver behavior and performance? The following conclusions and recommendations were derived from this field study: (1) results
indicated a clear benefit for drivers responding to external events and vehicle status warnings when using an IVIS, (2) drivers are capable
of safely switching attention from an IVIS to the forward roadway while responding to an external event, (3) older drivers behave more cautiously
when using an IVIS and responding to unexpected situations, (4) limitations associated with older driver performance, such as longer response latency
and more frequent navigation errors, may be reduced through the use of an optimally designed IVIS, (5) auditory cues for alerts should allow
user control of intensity, and (6) drivers should be allowed to select "low urgency" messages and alerting cues from a bank of options that
crosses sense modalities.
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| 17. Key Words
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS); Intelligent Transportation System (ITS); In–Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS);
In–Vehicle Safety Advisory and Warning Systems (IVSAWS); Older Driver, Human Factors
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18. Distribution Statement
No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.
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| 19. Security Classif. (of this report) Unclassified |
20. Security Classif. (of this page) Unclassified |
21. No. of Pages 93 |
22. Price |
Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized
FHWA-RD-99-131
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