Connected Vehicle Systems Evaluation of Display Location and application type on Driving Performance

• Published in: Transportation research record Vol. 2424; no. 1; pp. 39 - 47
• Main Authors: Holmes, LaTanya M., Harwood, Leslie C., Klauer, Sheila G., Doerzaph, Zachary R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Automotive components; Chemical vapor synthesis; Device driver programs; Devices; Mobile communication systems; Transportation; Vehicles; Warning
• ISSN: 0361-1981; 2169-4052
• DOI: 10.3141/2424-05

As part of the Human Factors for Connected Vehicles program, the U.S. Department of Transportation has initiated activities to advance connectivity between vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure). Connected vehicle system (CVS) driver interfaces have been proposed for a variety of vehicle-integrated and carry-in technologies. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the presentation of connected vehicle applications on three interfaces: integrated (e.g., in the center console), fixed to the windshield (e.g., an off-the-shelf navigation device), and mobile (e.g., cell phone). The display devices were used to present a range of safety-related and nonsafety-related CVS applications. The resulting driving performance was evaluated and analyzed. Results for the imminent safety application indicated that 67% of drivers complied with a red-light warning when they used the mobile device and that 92% of drivers complied with a red-light warning when they used either the fixed or the integrated display device. Of the eight remaining nonsafety-related applications tested, drivers looked significantly longer at the device when the information presented was not driving related. Drivers’ preference ratings also were significantly lower for information that was not driving related. These findings, combined with additional results presented in this paper, suggest that an unsecured mobile device may create safety and acceptance concerns when used as a part of a CVS.