Human Factors

Call for Papers for Special Issue on Human Factors and Automation in Vehicles

By Natasha Merat & John D. Lee, Special Issue Editors

Additional Details

     Recent technological developments have contributed to considerable advances in a variety of in-vehicle warning, information, and assistance systems in both cars and trucks. The main aim of implementing such systems has been to increase driver and road safety, reduce emissions and congestion, and enhance driver comfort. Specific examples of these systems include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane keeping, and lane departure warning. There is now a desire to equip vehicles with a combination of such systems, creating what will eventually be a highly automated vehicle, capable of maintaining both longitudinal and lateral control, either within a dedicated lane or amongst other traffic, where such control is traditionally maintained by the driver. Such highly automated vehicles are distinguished from fully automated or autonomous vehicles, where there is no longer a need for a driver.

     As vehicles become more automated, the driving task may be assumed by such systems and these highly automated vehicles might also communicate with each other or the surrounding infrastructure. However, as long as the automation is imperfect and the driver is still present in the vehicle, it is important to understand the communication, comprehension, and interaction of the driver with such systems. There are therefore a variety of human factors and driver-related issues which must be taken into consideration to ensure that these systems are indeed safe to use, and that they are accepted, trusted, and appropriately operated by the driver.

Back to the Table of Contents for the July 2010 HFES Bulletin

Download a .pdf version of this issue

Archive of past HFES Bulletin issues (in .pdf format)