This chapter suggests how to apply knowledge and research about human factors to the design of an interface for vehicle navigation and guidance. Route information can be subdivided into information required for route planning, navigation and guidance. The problem is to design a system for use by many different types of user, with differing characteristics and divergent needs, that is to be placed in an information-competitive environment such as a vehicle on modern roads. Questions to be addressed include: (1) Who are the users? (2) What information do users need? (3) How should the information be presented? (4) What are the effects of interface design on the driver? Lists are given of the elements to be included in a specification of information systems in vehicles, and task-specific questions that a designer should be able to answer. The most important consideration is the safety effects of any development. From an interface design perspective, an isolated navigation system is not appropriate, and some form of dynamic guidance system is also needed. The problem of context can be solved by incorporating some form of traffic messaging device, which can either indicate en-route roadside information in advance or provide road reports and justifications for re-routeing drivers in mid-journey. A detailed checklist is needed, which can be used in a product-independent way, for both product specification and evaluation stages of system design.
Abstract