Citation

Kiefer RJ. Vis. Veh. 1999; 7: 111-118.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The current research was aimed at examining the real-world implications of the reported "eyes-on-road" benefit of automotive head-up displays (HUDs). In a parked vehicle, older drivers were asked to read a digital speedometer (positioned either head-up or head-down) and a distant speed limit sign in rapid succession. Liquid-crystal glasses were used to limit the driver's forward view. In the second half of testing, subjects were told that during a few trials a pedestrian would appear. On these trials, subjects were to immediately press a button. Results indicated a HUD detection time advantage ranging from 87-325ms for 5 of the 8 pedestrian target types examined and no differences across displays for the remaining pedestrian target types. In addition, there was a trend toward fewer missed pedestrians with the HUD. These results clearly suggest HUDs improve the driver's ability to see forward scene events (and hence, potentially traffic safety) surrounding display glances.