Human Factors in Design of Car Interiors
In 1977, a comprehensive study of road safety found that human error was the primary cause in 57% of all automobile accidents and was a contributing factor in over 90%. With this discussion, we must keep in mind that the overall attention MUST be kept on the road and on driving. Many of the accidents that happen are due to lack of enough attention and focus on the road and driving conditions because the driver’s attention and focus was on a less significant feature of the car such as the radio.
In this study, we will begin by looking at the critical metrics driver-side dashboard, then move onto the steering wheel and to the center/passenger-side dashboard and finally look at the seating arrangements of the front of the vehicle. Many of the features of this proposed design will be an accumulation of good human factors-integrated controls that are already out on the market. Our primary objectives in this analysis will encompass the following:
1. Built-in features that promote and emphasize safety above all other functionality
2. Reducing potential driving risks and hazards through situational awareness tools, such as reducing blind spots via motion sensors and BirdsViewTM displays.
3. Ease of use of all features, tying back to the ease of creating visual maps for reduced attention to secondary features and higher focus/attention given onto road and driving conditions.
Driver-Side Dashboard
For the speedometer and RPM information, the displays that will be used will be analog with both US and SI units to accommodate for different driver demographics. On the far left-hand side will be a digital display that will indicate the current gas fuel consumption of the vehicle, given in terms of MPG. In the middle of the analog semi-circular display for the speedometer will be a digital display showing the total mileage the vehicle has accumulated and directly beneath the total mileage will be the accumulated mileage of the vehicle since the last time it was
In this study, we will begin by looking at the critical metrics driver-side dashboard, then move onto the steering wheel and to the center/passenger-side dashboard and finally look at the seating arrangements of the front of the vehicle. Many of the features of this proposed design will be an accumulation of good human factors-integrated controls that are already out on the market. Our primary objectives in this analysis will encompass the following:
1. Built-in features that promote and emphasize safety above all other functionality
2. Reducing potential driving risks and hazards through situational awareness tools, such as reducing blind spots via motion sensors and BirdsViewTM displays.
3. Ease of use of all features, tying back to the ease of creating visual maps for reduced attention to secondary features and higher focus/attention given onto road and driving conditions.
Driver-Side Dashboard
For the speedometer and RPM information, the displays that will be used will be analog with both US and SI units to accommodate for different driver demographics. On the far left-hand side will be a digital display that will indicate the current gas fuel consumption of the vehicle, given in terms of MPG. In the middle of the analog semi-circular display for the speedometer will be a digital display showing the total mileage the vehicle has accumulated and directly beneath the total mileage will be the accumulated mileage of the vehicle since the last time it was
References: 1. Wickens, Christopher D., et al. An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004.