A Vehicle Simulation Study Examining the Effects of System Interface Design Elements on Performance in Different Vibration Environments Below 3 Hz

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between system interface elements' design features and interaction performance in simulated vehicle vibration environments. Background: Touch screens have been widely used in vehicle information systems, but few studies have focused on the decline of touchscreen interaction performance and task load increase when driving on unpaved roads. Method: The interaction performance (reaction time and task accuracy rate) with vibration frequencies below 3 Hz (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 Hz) and different interface design elements was investigated employing a touch screen computer and E-prime software. Results: The results indicate that vehicle vibration (below 3 Hz) can significantly reduce interaction performance with a vehicle information system interface. Conclusion: An appropriate increase in the physical size of the interface design features (visual stimulus materials and touch buttons) can help to mitigate this negative effect of vibration. Application: The results and findings of this study can be utilized for the design of information system interfaces as it relates to the vibration scenario of unpaved roads.