Mobile Information Systems Impact Study

NHTSA · 1988 · ROSA P / United States. Joint Program Office for Intelligent Transportation Systems

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Summary

This 1988 report, titled *Mobile Information Systems Impact Study*, addresses the emerging field of in-vehicle navigation and mobile communications. Motivated by recent advances in micro-electronics and the potential for these technologies to alleviate urban traffic congestion and improve transportation efficiency, the study reviews the state-of-the-art of mobile information systems (MIS). The primary objective was to assess the technological landscape, identify human factors implications, and outline a strategy for Canadian participation in this growing industry before international competitors dominated the market. The methodology involved a comprehensive review of thirty-nine mobile systems demonstrated or announced during the 1980s. These systems were classified using a features matrix based on infrastructure relationships, navigation techniques (such as dead-reckoning, proximity devices, ground-based radio, and satellite positioning), system functions, and map data storage methods. The authors also analyzed human factors from the perspective of the "human information processor," evaluating how drivers acquire and process visual information while operating vehicles. Additionally, the report surveyed likely user communities, identified Canadian hardware and software suppliers, and summarized major international programs in Europe, Japan, and the United States. Key findings indicate that while production costs are the primary limiting factor for system capabilities, further advances in data storage and display technologies will soon make sophisticated systems commercially feasible. The study categorizes future system functions into five application areas: travel advisory, fleet management, traffic management, mobile office, and occupant activities/vehicle control. Human factors analysis revealed significant safety concerns regarding driver overload, noting that current man-machine interfaces vary widely in design across Europe, the U.S., and Japan. The report highlights a critical gap in Canada: unlike Europe and Japan, where government agencies lead coordinated development programs, Canada lacked a formal national strategy for MIS research, development, and manufacturing. The significance of this study lies in its urgent recommendation for Canadian industrial and governmental action. The authors warn that without immediate engagement, Canadian industries will lose the opportunity to participate in the design and manufacturing of these systems. To address this, the report recommends seven priority projects, including a demonstration project, human factors studies, market and supplier surveys, and the development of a national strategy. It also calls for the establishment of preliminary man-machine interface standards and regulations to ensure the safe use of in-vehicle devices, emphasizing that safety must be the primary consideration in system design.

Key finding

The human information processor is highly susceptible to error when overloaded, requiring preliminary man-machine interface standards to ensure the safe use of in-vehicle positioning and navigation devices.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• nav systems
• hud ar windshield
• in vehicle displays

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Applied Guidance: design guidelines
• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence
• Methodological Resource: dataset resource