What's happened to car design? An exploratory study into the effect of 15 years of progress on driver situation awareness

Authors: Walker, Guy H.¹; Stanton, Neville A.¹; Young, Mark S.²

Source: International Journal of Vehicle Design, Volume 45, Numbers 1-2, 11 May 2007 , pp. 266-282(17)

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Abstract:

Vehicle feedback includes steering feel, engine noise and most other aspects of what the driver can perceive through their normal interaction with the vehicle. Ten car drivers took part in an on-road study to explore the relationship between vehicle feedback and the concept of driver situational awareness (SA). It was shown that drivers of older generation vehicles with higher levels of vehicle feedback have statistically better SA than drivers of modern vehicles. The results are considered important from a primary safety viewpoint as poor SA is reported to be a greater cause of accidents than improper speed or driving technique.

Keywords: TECHNICAL JOURNALS; Automotive and Transportation Systems; Design and Product Development

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJVD.2007.013679

Affiliations: 1: Driving Research Laboratory, School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK. 2: Driving Research Laboratory, School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK

Publication date: 2007-05-11

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