Adaptive Driver Information: A Quantitative Study

Abstract: Modern technology allows for adaptation of driver information to the driving context.
What information that suits different driving contexts and drivers must be investigated
thoroughly before adaptive information systems can be implemented in cars.
The present study is a continuation of Davidsson’s (2009) mainly qualitative study of
drivers’ needs for information and functions and aimed at collecting quantitative data which
could provide the foundation for organizing information in context specific groupings. Data
were collected with an electronic questionnaire that was administered to 455 respondents.
The results showed that context specific groupings of information are difficult to identify with
multivariate statistical methods like factor analysis and cluster analysis, partly because of too
small amounts of data, but ranks of mean and median ratings of importance provided
straightforward indications on which information the drivers need, and do not need, in various
driving contexts.