This chapter considers how to adapt a navigation system to drivers' need for information and drivers' information processing abilities. The task of navigation can be divided into several subproblems. Before a trip, a driver needs information about his destination(s), and must ask, identify and evaluate possible modes for travelling there. During a trip, he needs route guidance information. After a trip, he needs information about different car parking options and their costs and benefits. Assuming that a route guidance system must transmit information to the driver, several important questions can be asked about this information, including the following: (1) Which sense modalities should be used as receivers for route guidance information? (2) What type of information should be displayed, for example by description, pointing, or voice? (3) How much information should be displayed? (4) What is the best timing for presenting route guidance information? Fairly detailed discussions are given of each of these questions. The author concludes that, through task analysis and empirical research, guidelines can be given for the construction of navigation and route guidance systems, that are adapted to drivers' needs and information processing abilities. Much more analysis and empirical research are needed.
Abstract