The aim of this study is to determine whether processing information presented on an in-car Head-Up Display (HUD) is faster and less tiring than when presented on a conventional Head-Down Display (HDD). A secondary goal of the study is to investigate whether a projected instead of a mirrored HUD can be used in HUD research in driving simulators. A comparison was made between analogue Head-Up and Head-Down speedometers in a driving simulator experiment. Subjects, while keeping their lane, had to stay as close as possible to a prespecified target speed. They had to compensate for unpredictably varying sidewinds and adverse winds. The results showed a clear advantage of HUD over HDD in lane keeping, speed keeping, and subjective workload. The use of a projected instead of a mirrored HUD produced even slightly more favourable results. This implies that the use of a mirrored HUD in HUD research should be preferred, although a projected HUD had similar effects. Subjects, while keeping their lane, had to stay as close as possible to a prespecified target speed, compensating for unpredictably varying side- and adverse winds. Results showed a clear advantage of HUD over HDD in lane keeping, speed keeping and subjective workload. Using a projected instead of a mirrored HUD yielded even slightly more favourable results. This implies that, though in the present study a projected HUD had similar relative effects as a mirrored HUD, it is preferable to use a mirrored HUD in HUD-research.
Abstract