This paper investigates the suitability of various dashboard control designs. The centrally located controls are for enabling the driver to control the car radio, air conditioning, and route guidance systems. Four different kinds of controls are evaluated: a) cursor; b) "softkey"; c) "hardkey" and d) an analog system which controls all 3 functions. In this last option, the driver chooses which function he wishes to control via a voice activated menu system. The experiment was conducted in a driving simulator. Subjects had to follow a leading car and execute specific functions on request. The following driving performance indicators were measured throughout the experiment: a) steering behaviour; and b) reaction time to braking manoeuvres of the lead car. The driver's eye movements were recorded by EOG (electro-oculogram), to ascertain driver distraction caused by the controls. The glance time, handling time and number of times the driver performed the action correctly indicates that the "softkey" control system is best.
Abstract