Estimates of In-Vehicle Task Element Times for Usability and Distraction Evaluations

Engaging in visual-manual tasks such as selecting a radio station, adjusting the interior temperature, or setting an automation function can be distracting to drivers. Additionally, if setting the automation fails, driver takeover can be delayed. Traditionally, assessing the usability of driver interfaces and determining if they are unacceptably distracting (per the NHTSA driver distraction guidelines and SAE J2364) involves human subject testing, which is expensive and time-consuming. However, most vehicle engineering decisions are based on computational analyses, such as the task time predictions in SAE J2365. Unfortunately, J2365 was developed before touch screens were common in motor vehicles. To update J2365 and other task analyses, estimates were developed for (1) cognitive activities (mental, search, read), (2) low-level 2D elements (Press, Tap, Double Tap, Drag, Zoom, Press and Hold, Rotate, Turn Knob, Type and Keypress, and Flick), (3) complex 2D elements (handwrite, menu use), and (4) for 2D/3D elements (Reach, Swipe, Dwell/Hold, Grab/Grip/Grasp, Release, Draw, Pinch and Spread, and Wave/Shake). A future paper will provide estimates for complex 2D elements and cognitive activities. Most of the time estimates are for young people (ages 18-30) because those data were available. Methods are provided to estimate times for other age groups. These estimates were drawn from recognized data sources including, (1) industrial engineering predetermined time systems (e.g., Methods-Time- Measurement 1 (MTM-1), (2) the Keystroke-Level Model (KLM), (3) the Model Human Processor (MHP), (4) SAE J2365, (5) human-computer interaction studies, and (6) driver-interface studies concerned with estimating and validating task times on touch screens. © 2023 SAE International. All rights reserved.