Ergonomics Intervention in Automobile Driver Communication in a Developing Country

Abstract

Communication is a crucial process in ensuring safety in road transportation. This paper explores the constructs of communication from a cognitive ergonomics point-of-view in order to explain the need and relevance of communication in ensuring on-road safety. An attempt to establish a communication error model has been made with the help of communication and information processing tasks, and delving into the cognitive aspects of traffic behavior. Direct observation on errors in various communication tasks was used to understand the relevance of the proposed model. From an information ergonomics perspective, workflows of major driving maneuvers are proposed that could be used in the development of driver assistance systems, as well as in driver training, to make novice drivers understand the importance of accurate communication in ensuring safety of self and other road users.