Navigating Navigation : A Safety and Usability Evaluation of the Volvo P1 Navigation System

Abstract: Navigation systems are today options provided by car manufacturers’ world wide and market predictions suggest that 25 percent of all cars produced by 2009 will have navigation systems installed. However, there are many human-interface issues concerning the use of these navigation systems. This thesis describes a study which evaluates and tests the safety and usability of the Volvo P1 navigation system and also contains suggestions on how the system and its controls should be designed to be safer and easier to use. This is done through heuristic evaluations and a Lane Change Test (LCT). The LCT is used to compare the level of driver distraction between the steering wheel control and remote control and also between common and advanced exercises in the system. Results from the study shows that there are no significant differences in distraction between using the steering wheel control or the remote control. The results also show that there are no significant differences in distraction between the common and advanced exercises. The results of the study are presented as a collection of design proposals that can be used to improve the system’s safety and usability.