Exploring the Value of Information Delivered to Drivers

Abstract

New IT functions have greatly increased the amount of in-car information delivered to drivers. Although valuable, that information can distract drivers when delivered during vehicle operation. By inferring driver state from sensor data, prior research has shown that it can accurately identify opportune moments to deliver information. Now that we know when to best deliver information, it raises the question: what information should we deliver at those interruptible moments? To answer this question, we conducted a series of surveys and interviews and compiled a list of representative in-car information items and context factors that affect the importance of these items. By combining and exploring those context factors, we identified driving situations when each of the in-car information items is highly valuable, and verified these situations through a large online survey of drivers. Lastly, we examined what technology is available for detecting these driving situations, and which situations require further advanced technologies for detection. Results from our study offer important insights for understanding the diversity of drivers’ experiences about the value of in-car information and the ability to determine situations in which this information is valuable to drivers. With these results, researchers can then build information delivery systems that can deliver information to drivers both when they are interruptible and when they find the information valuable. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017.