Fuel Economy Driver Interfaces: Design Range and Driver Opinions (Report on Task 1 and Task 2)

Fuel economy driver interfaces (FEDIs) provide information to drivers about their fuel efficiency. FEDIs have become more prevalent and complicated in recent years, yet designs differ widely between vehicle makes and models and little is known about how to design FEDIs to maximize benefits while minimizing risks of distraction or unsafe driving. The purpose of Task 1 was to document the range of FEDI designs that have been used or proposed. The primary purpose was to identify features of FEDIs on late-model passenger vehicles, but this task also addresses past and current trends in FEDIs, displays in commercial and fleet vehicles, aftermarket devices and applications, and device patents. Nearly every major automotive manufacturer that sells vehicles in the United States offers at least one model with a FEDI. The most common features include current fuel economy, average fuel economy, and fuel range until empty. Some vehicles also have features that intend to guide drivers to improve their fuel economy by providing direct feedback or vehicle adaptations in response to inefficient driving behaviors. While gasoline vehicles generally have basic alphanumeric or analog gauge displays, many gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have more complex displays that use large, full-color LCD displays and present more detailed information. As more hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles enter the market, and the cost of in-vehicle displays and sensors decreases, it is likely that increasingly complex and novel displays will be introduced in new vehicle models. The purpose of Task 2 was to collect information about vehicle owners’ driving habits and opinions about FEDI designs. Focus groups were conducted with members of the general driving public and with owners of vehicles with FEDIs to assess their opinions regarding the usefulness and potential for distraction of several different FEDI designs.

• Record URL:
  http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/NRD/Multimedia/PDFs/Crash%20Avoidance/2009/811092.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Westat, Incorporated

  1650 Research Boulevard
  Rockville, MD  United States  20850

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Jenness, James W
  • Singer, Jeremiah
  • Walrath, Jeremy
  • Lubar, Elisha
• Publication Date: 2009-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 90p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Distraction; Fuel consumption; Hybrid vehicles; Information display systems; Liquid crystal displays; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fuel efficiency
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01366669
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-811 092
• Contract Numbers: DTNH22-08-D-00115
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 30 2012 4:39PM