ABSTRACT
Emerging technologies present the opportunity to provide drivers with a vast amount of information, much of which is intended to keep the driver safe and to increase transportation e ciency. For example, collision avoidance warnings have the potential to augment the sensory capabilities of the driver, serving as a second set of eyes or ears in heavy tra c or when the driver is fatigued. In-vehicle navigation systems can assist drivers with not only getting from one place to another but also in nding restaurants, gas stations, shops, and other points of interest. Well-designed navigation systems can help alleviate the anxiety some drivers have about getting lost and can reduce navigational ine ciency, resulting in tremendous economical and ecological savings. Adaptive speed control systems and lane departure warnings relieve the driver of some of the mental workload of vehicular control and monitoring. Although most of these systems were designed to increase safety by decreasing the mental e ort involved in the driving, navigating, and collision avoidance tasks, there is ample reason to question their potential to distract, confuse, and disorient drivers. Driver distraction and the mental workload
involved in the use of in-vehicle displays with di erent characteristics (i.e., modality, complexity) are the focus of this chapter. Particular emphasis is placed on auditory displays, which have the greatest potential to minimize both visual distraction and mental workload, but which may also divert attention from more important visual tasks. First, we will look at the prevalence of driver distraction and its impact on certain types of drivers most susceptible to variations in workload and distraction due to in-vehicle displays. Attention will then be given to the many types of emerging displays and their relative potential to a ect the driving task. Finally, we will conclude with recommended design guidelines to mitigate the potential negative impact of these displays.
