DCSIMG

Equipment Design Features (Impacts on Safety)

Home
Discussion Areas
Experience with Technology
Cell Phones
Navigation Systems
Night Vision
Wireless Internet
Info And Entertainment
Other
Technical Issues
Benefits And Risk
Measuring Distraction
Design Features
Regulations
Safety Campaigns
Features
Index Of Papers
Ask The Expert
Take the Polls
Other Resources
Public Meeting
Papers, polls, Q&A items, and comments on this page are oriented to topics and issues associated with the impact of equipment design features on driving safety. Feel free to post comments on issues outlined below, or in response to papers, polls, and/or questions submitted to our expert panel. The emphasis is meant to be on the design features of the technological devices themselves, but comments on system-level safety (e.g., integration of devices, use of crash warnings) are welcome. A moderator has been assigned to periodically synthesize comments, keep discussions focused and moving, emphasize key points, and offer additional insights into related issues.

DISCUSSION ISSUES/TOPICS

Effective/Ineffective Designs & Countermeasures

  • What technologies can be employed to develop less distracting devices (e.g., voice recognition, hands free operation)?
  • To what extent does voice interaction (speech recognition, artificial speech) provide benefits over visual presentation? Under what conditions is voice communication distracting?
  • Is there less driver distraction with the use of Head Up Displays (HUDs) than with traditional displays? Can everyone use HUDs effectively?
  • How should information be structured, formatted, and searched? How much information is too much for drivers to handle?
  • What designs and features (design soluations) have worked well in this or similar applications? What problems have been observed?
  • What effective countermeasures can be used to combat distraction?
Research Needs
  • What are the important unanswered questions regarding the design of in-vehicle technologies? Is research best directed at defining good design or developing tools to evaluate individual designs?

 

Content Available In Each Topic Area

  Paper  
comments
  Comment  

  Ask the Expert  

  Poll  

 

Effective/Ineffective Designs & Countermeasures
            
   The Impact of Internal Distraction on Driver Visual Behavior   5/17/00 2:30:52 PM

   Divided Attention Ability of Young and Older Drivers   5/30/00 1:12:17 PM


   Speech-based Interaction with In-vehicle Computers: The Effect of Speech-based E-mail on Drivers’ Attention to the Roadway   5/31/00 11:52:26 AM

Authors:   Lee, J. D., Caven, B., Haake, S., & Brown, T. L. (Cognitive Systems Laboratory, University of Iowa, Department of Industrial Engineering, Iowa City, Iowa).

click to access PDF-format documentView Entire Paper

Abstract

As computer applications for cars emerge, speech-based interfaces provide an obvious alternative to the visually demanding graphical user interfaces common on desktop applications. However, speech-based interfaces may pose cognitive demands that could undermine driving safety. This study uses a car-following task to evaluate how a speech-based e-mail system affects drivers’ response to a periodically braking lead vehicle. A baseline condition with no e-mail system was compared to a simple and a complex e-mail system in both simple and complex driving environments. The results show a 30% (310 msec) increase in reaction time when the speech-based system is present. Subjective workload ratings also indicate that speech-based interaction introduces a significant cognitive load, which is highest for the complex e-mail system. A simple model of driver performance shows that, in imminent collision situations, the 310 msec delay induced by the speech-based interface can have important safety implications.


   Integration of Driver In-Vehicle ITS Information   5/31/00 11:53:14 AM

   E-Distraction: The Challenges for Safe and Usable Internet Services in Vehicles   5/31/00 12:04:41 PM

   Can Collision Warning Systems Mitigate Distraction Due to In-Vehicle Devices?   5/31/00 1:12:43 PM

   In-Vehicle Communication and Driving: An Attempt to Overcome their Interference   6/1/00 11:55:10 AM

   If purchasing an in-vehicle device, how much of an influence does the design and ease of use of devices have on your selection?   

   Can auditory systems (devices with the capability to interpret voice commands, or communicate using speech messages) address the safety concerns associated with operating in-vehicle technologies?   

   Do you believe hands-free technology is sufficient to address safety concerns related to cell phone use while driving?   

   Is it possible to design electronic maps that can be safely used while driving?   

   Is it possible to design wireless Internet devices (e.g., e-mail systems) that can be safely used while driving?   

comments   Integration of Driver in vehicle ITS   7/6/00 2:13:53 PM

   In your opinion, what is the maximum number of recommended information displays a HUD should feature?    7/14/00 8:52:05 AM

comments   Passenger Air Bag technology saves lives, BUT...   7/14/00 6:11:10 PM

comments   Radio designs are needlessly dangerous   7/18/00 3:04:26 PM

comments   Radio designs are needlessly dangerous, II   7/18/00 6:32:12 PM

comments   Possible solution   7/18/00 6:44:54 PM

comments   disable devices while car is in motion   7/19/00 11:19:00 AM

comments   low cost "black-box" equipment for motor vehicles   7/19/00 11:50:17 AM

   In your opinion, what is the maximum number of recommended information displays a HUD should feature? Can you specify related references?   7/19/00 4:11:36 PM

   What role can automation play in reducing the driver distraction problem? What automated or assistance systems can we expect to see in the future?   7/20/00 7:47:20 AM

comments   Confusing radio controls   7/20/00 4:05:31 PM

comments   Older vs. Younger   7/24/00 9:47:24 PM

comments   E-mail in the car   7/24/00 10:09:21 PM

comments   HUD usage   7/26/00 1:46:27 PM

comments   HUD usage   7/26/00 1:47:16 PM

comments   Radio/CD player designs need standards   7/31/00 2:13:49 AM

comments   Integration and solutions causing potential new problems   8/1/00 10:09:55 AM

comments   Radio content can be distracting   8/1/00 10:25:10 AM

comments   Ergonomic design and visual pollution   8/3/00 2:14:33 PM

comments   Ergonomic design and visual pollution (ergonomically improved!)   8/3/00 2:23:18 PM
Research Needs
             1comments   1