User strategies for the interaction with in-vehicle devices while driving

In this study, the efficiency of different strategies for the interaction with in-vehicle devices was analysed. Twenty-four drivers completed a test course in a motion-based driving simulator containing different critical situations. At predetermined points of the route, an additional menu navigation task was offered to the driver. The driver could decide whether the actual situation was suitable to execute a task and when to interrupt it. The results show that drivers are able to adapt their secondary task behaviour to the situational demands. The anticipation of potential conflicts could be shown in secondary task behaviour (complete task rejection or task delay in critical situations). These strategies were successful to maintain driving safety. Adequate situational assessment prior to the start of the task and adequate monitoring of situational development during secondary task execution are identified as relevant processes for situation awareness in this context.