An On-the-Road Comparison of In-Vehicle Navigation Assistance Systems

One of the more interesting advances in transportation over the past decade is the introduction of intelligent transportation systems. Of particular interest is the flurry of activity directed at developing advanced traveler information systems (ATISs), especially systems that provide in-vehicle navigation assistance to drivers. These systems are designed to “acquire, analyze, communicate, and present information for use in assisting surface transportation travelers in moving from a starting location to their destination” (IVHS America, 1992, p. III–21). In other words, navigational ATISs give optimal route guidance information to destinations selected by the driver. As noted by several researchers (e.g., Eby, 1997; Fastenmeier, Haller, & Lerner, 1994; Inman, Sanchez, Porter, & Bernstein, 1995; IVHS America, 1992; Kantowitz, Kantowitz, & Hanowski, 1995; Kostyniuk, Eby, Christoff, Hopp, & Streff, 1997; Smiley, Vernet, Labiale, & Pauzié, 1994; Srinivasan, Landau, & Jovanis, 1995; Walker, Alicandri, Sedney, & Roberts, 1990), the potential advantages of optimal routing are greater ease in finding destinations, fewer trips in which a driver gets lost, less complicated routes, avoidance of traffic congestion, shorter distance routes, shorter duration routes, greater confidence while driving, and less stressful driving. Collectively, these advantages potentially have the additional benefits of decreased fuel consumption and air pollution, less overall traffic congestion, and increased traffic safety. Understanding how people use ATISs and what they think about ATISs is of paramount importance in the development of systems that will provide these benefits. Several in-vehicle navigation assistance systems have been developed in recent years. A basic difference among many of these systems is in their ability to use traffic conditions in determining the optimal route. Static route guidance An On-the-Road Comparison of In-Vehicle Navigation Assistance Systems