In-Vehicle Display Icons and Other Information Elements Volume I: Guidelines

Campbell, J. L.; Richman, J.; Carney, C.; Lee, J. D. · 2004 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety and Traffic Operations

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Summary

This report, produced by the Battelle Human Factors Transportation Center for the Federal Highway Administration, addresses the rapid integration of In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) into the automotive marketplace. The primary motivation was the lack of adequate research addressing the human factors associated with the design of in-vehicle visual symbols and information elements. The project aimed to provide designers with precise, user-centered guidelines to ensure the legibility, recognition, interpretation, and evaluation of these displays, thereby enhancing driver safety and usability. The document represents the integrative phase of a three-phase contractual effort that included analytical and empirical stages. It synthesizes human engineering data, experimental findings, and expert judgment to create a comprehensive handbook. The methodology involved designing and performing experiments to select appropriate symbols, followed by the development of empirically based guidelines. The report is structured to support designers through a two-page format for each guideline, presenting quantitative recommendations alongside supporting rationale, design issues, and references. Guidelines are rated based on their reliance on experimental data versus expert judgment, allowing designers to assess the strength of the evidence behind each recommendation. The report presents 42 specific design guidelines covering visual icons and auditory information. Key findings and recommendations include standards for icon legibility, such as maintaining luminance uniformity within 33% for small areas and ensuring appropriate contrast and size relative to viewing distance. For icon recognition, the guidelines address levels of realism and detail, perceptual principles, and the design of prohibition symbols. Interpretation guidelines focus on enhancing comprehension through text labels, color usage, and shape, as well as conveying system status and urgency. Additionally, the report provides extensive guidelines for auditory presentation, including the design of simple tones, earcons, auditory icons, and speech messages, with specific heuristics for assessing priority, complexity, and perceived annoyance. Chapter 7 outlines standardized evaluation procedures, including production tests, appropriateness ranking tests, and comprehension/recognition tests, aligned with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recommendations. The significance of this work lies in its provision of a standardized, evidence-based framework for IVIS design. By offering clear, concise guidelines for both visual and auditory elements, the report enables developers to create interfaces that minimize driver distraction and maximize information comprehension. The inclusion of an icon collection, tutorials for data analysis, and a sensory modality design tool further supports practical application. This handbook serves as a critical resource for ensuring that in-vehicle technologies meet human factors standards, promoting safer and more effective interactions between drivers and vehicle systems.

Key finding

The study produced 42 specific human factors design guidelines for in-vehicle icons, covering visual legibility, recognition, interpretation, and auditory presentation.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Topics

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• ehmi external hmi
• display design
• vru facing ehmi
• auditory warnings
• feedback modes
• signage environment

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: design guidelines