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Vehicle fingertip reach controls--human factors recommendations
E Moussa-Hamouda1, R R Mourant
1Department of Mathematical Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Applied Ergonomics
|June 1, 1981
Summary
Car control placement impacts driver performance. Stalk-mounted controls, especially turn signals, can cause issues, while rotating switches for wipers improve usability, enhancing driving safety.
Area of Science:
- Human Factors and Ergonomics
- Automotive Engineering
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Fingertip reach controls in vehicles are common.
- Driver interaction with controls can lead to errors.
- Optimizing control design is crucial for safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify problems with current fingertip reach control designs.
- To evaluate alternative control designs for vehicle functions.
- To provide recommendations for improved control ergonomics.
Main Methods:
- Conducted interviews with 405 drivers regarding control usability.
- Performed a laboratory experiment to test wiper and washer control designs.
- Measured driver performance and reaction times with different control layouts.
Main Results:
- High rates of 'finding problems' reported for horn and turn signal stalk placements.
- Inadvertent operation issues noted for turn signals and headlight selectors on dual left stalks.
- Rotating 'hat switch' design superior for wiper on/off and speed control.
- Stalk-mounted controls yielded faster driver reaction times than dash-mounted controls.
Conclusions:
- Specific stalk placements for horn and turn signals require redesign.
- Dual left stalks present inadvertent operation challenges.
- Rotating switches are recommended for wiper controls.
- Stalk controls offer faster reaction times but require careful ergonomic consideration.