This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Belz, S. M. Articles by Casali, J. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Belz, S. M. Articles by Casali, J. G. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

A New Class of Auditory Warning Signals for Complex Systems: Auditory Icons

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

Gary S. Robinson

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

John G. Casali

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

This simulator-based study examined conventional auditory warnings (tonal, nonverbal sounds) and auditory icons (representational, nonverbal sounds), alone and in combination with a dash-mounted visual display, to present information about impending collision situations to commercial motor vehicle operators. Brake response times were measured for impending front-to-rear collision scenarios under 6 display configurations, 2 vehicle speeds, and 2 levels of headway. Accident occurrence was measured for impending side collision scenarios under 2 vehicle speeds, 2 levels of visual workload, 2 auditory displays, absence/presence of mirrors, and absence/presence of a dash-mounted iconic visual display. For both front-to-rear and side collision scenarios, auditory icons elicited significantly improved driver performance over conventional auditory warnings. Driver performance improved when collision warning information was presented through multiple modalities. Brake response times were significantly faster for impending front-to-rear collision scenarios using the longer headway condition. The presence of mirrors significantly reduced the number of accidents for impending side collision scenarios. Subjective preference data indicated that participants preferred multimodal displays over single-modality displays. Actual or potential applications for this research include auditory displays and warnings, information presentation, and the development of alternative user interfaces.

Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Vol. 41, No. 4, 608-618 (1999)
DOI: 10.1518/001872099779656734


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Mohebbi, R. Gray, and H. Z. Tan Driver Reaction Time to Tactile and Auditory Rear-End Collision Warnings While Talking on a Cell Phone Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, February 1, 2009; 51(1): 102 - 110. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. C. Perry, C. J. Stevens, M. W. Wiggins, and C. E. Howell Cough Once for Danger: Icons Versus Abstract Warnings as Informative Alerts in Civil Aviation Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, December 1, 2007; 49(6): 1061 - 1071. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Edworthy and E. Hellier Alarms and human behaviour: implications for medical alarms Br. J. Anaesth., July 1, 2006; 97(1): 12 - 17. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Stephan, S. E. Smith, R. L. Martin, S. P. A. Parker, and K. I. McAnally Learning and Retention of Associations Between Auditory Icons and Denotative Referents: Implications for the Design of Auditory Warnings Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, January 1, 2006; 48(2): 288 - 299. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J Edworthy and E Hellier Fewer but better auditory alarms will improve patient safety Qual. Saf. Health Care, June 1, 2005; 14(3): 212 - 215. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]