Improving in-Vehicle Display and Control Design for Older Drivers

Recommendations for older driver-friendly automobile interior design have been determined by taking into account older people’s physical and cognitive characteristics. Twenty three older people (aged from 54 to 78) and five younger people (from 20 to 29) performed several tasks in actual driving conditions, in which their reaction times and performance errors were recorded. Some design factors were found to be related to older drivers’ visibility and controllability. Several design recommendations were proposed in terms of cluster color and font, display location, and HVAC control type. Proposed recommendations are expected to satisfy a wider range of older drivers as these will facilitate automobile interior designs which are fitter to older drivers’ visual, cognitive, and manual capabilities.