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Equipment Design Features (Impacts on Safety)

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 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

  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
Phil   McArdle
Private Citizen

Although I have a cell phone in my car, I agree wholeheartedly with concerns regarding all forms of telecommunications devices in motor vehicles. However, I believe I have an answer to the problem which ought to keep everyone happy. To start with, let me say from experience that anything that takes the eyes off the road can be hazardous. I simply will not use my handheld cellphone while I am driving. However, I believe phones with automated and hands-free features are generally safe to use while driving. I also have an in-dash phone in my Acura which can automatically mute the radio and auto-answer incoming calls, and which you can use in a "speakerphone" mode. This makes a world of difference, and I have safely used this, while driving, for years. My answer to the argument that my concentration might be slightly diverted from driving, is that one’s attention could be equally diverted by the stress of NOT being able to make or receive a necessary call while driving. I run my own one-man advertising agency, and being able to use my cellphone can make or break my business; since I am on the road a lot, I look forward to the day when I will be able to send and receive e-mail and faxes, have internet access, get stock prices, get alphanumeric pages and more from my car. However, since such services require you to LOOK AT A DISPLAY, I personally would only use them while my vehicle were parked, but judging from idiocy I have seen on the road I know there is someone out there who would type an e-mail while driving at 80mph on the Hutchinson River Parkway. Solutions? I think they’re easy… (a) For devices whose use requires viewing a display of some sort, a safety interlock be installed, which only allows operation while the vehicle is in neutral (standard transmission) or park (automatic transmission). This would be simple to accomplish, since modern vehicles already have the necessary switches and wiring to prevent starting the vehicle in gear; installation would require tapping into the neutral/park safety circuit, and could be a part of commonly-available audio wiring harness adapter kits. (b) Also, only hands-free cellphones should be legal for use while driving; most regular hand-held units have this as an add-on option. I certainly hope my ideas help; it would be a shame to have to forego the benefits of expanding telecommunications technology because some fools don’t have the sense to use them safely. Cordially, Phil McArdle


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
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