One of the aims of the GIDS (Generic Intelligent Driver Support) project is to build an operational prototype in order to demonstrate some of the essential features of the GIDS concept as characterised by Smiley and Michon (1989). This report describes guidelines for the prototype from a human factors point of view. The main notion behind the guidelines concerns the prevention of mental and physical overload of the driver. Overload may be the result of several dedicated driver support applications attempting to give messages at the same time, but also of messages that are presented while the driver requires all attention for driving. Next, a design is presented of those parts of the GIDS system that are involved in overload prevention. The crucial role herein is played by the Dialogue Controller. The Dialogue Controller determines which information is presented to the driver and which information should be displayed at another time. This decision is taken on the basis of message priority and estimates of (multi-dimensional) driver workload. (Author/publisher)
Abstract