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The human-machine interface (HMI) of a warning system should not be the cause of unintended consequences, such as startling or confusing the driver. The driver should be able to quickly understand and assess a threat and appropriately respond to the external event. In most instances, warning signals are used to inform the driver of a situation that he/she does not perceive on his/her own. If the driver is not aware of the situation, then the warning signal should be comprehended and clearly distinguished from other warning signals. Timely Comprehension is a laboratory methodology developed with the goal of evaluating integrated warning systems in development. Currently, no standardized verification method publically exists to evaluate the in-vehicle integration of warning systems. This methodology can help identify comprehension/distinguish-ability issues prior to full system development in a controlled, repeatable and safe setting.

Communication is vital to the successful delivery of freight. A product that uses the latest communications technology, and makes that technology easily accessible to a driver would be a great benefit to the trucking industry. This paper focuses on the iterative design process of such a product called the Truck Productivity Computer™ (TruckPC). The TruckPC is a combination of an audio system, which includes radio, CD and weather, and an open platform communications and computing system. This paper discusses the driver-centered design process that was used in the development of both software and hardware interfaces. Topics discussed include the human factors guidelines that provided a basis for early design values and testing that concerned the design of the user input modes (buttons, knobs, speech recognition) and output modes (display, division of information on the display, text-to-speech synthesis).

Electroluminescent (EL) displays are well known for their superior visual performance (brightness and contrast) and environmental performance (durability) characteristics. These characteristics contributed to Freightliner Corporation's selection of Planar Systems, Inc. to build a custom electroluminescent display that measures 80 pixels in height and 320 pixels in width for their Truck Productivity Computer. The Truck Productivity Computer is an open-platform information, communication, and integration system that fits in a standard (DIN 1) radio slot in a truck dashboard. When compared to most conventional in-vehicle displays, the emissive EL technology offers increased brightness and contrast ratio. Considering these advantages and the type of information to be displayed, traditional human factors display guidelines, based primarily on other display types, were thought to be unsuitable for recommending character height for this display.

This paper discusses one method for reducing heavy-duty truck rollover accidents, the Freightliner/MeritorWABCO Roll Advisor and Control (RA&C) System. It describes the operation of this system and the unique way in which RA&C trains drivers to avoid high-risk rollover and braking conditions. In addition, the rationale for this approach is discussed in terms of Behavioral Based Safety (BBS), and the means employed to communicate with drivers is described. A technical description of the RA&C system is presented including a discussion of the challenges of designing and developing this product to be a cost-effective system readily implemented in today's commercial vehicles. Resolution of these challenges leads to the choice of the ABS platform to house and operate the necessary electronics and software along with the Freightliner Driver Message Center for displaying driver information.