Development of a Subjective Human Factors Scoring and Assessment Technique for the Total Vehicle

The present paper describes two studies performed with the aim of developing a human factors evaluation technique for the total vehicle based upon users' subjective experience while interacting with automotive controls and displays. In the first study, a total vehicle task analysis was conducted using a card-sort technique to partition users- activities in and around the vehicle into conceptually cohesive groups, or task scenarios. In the second study, each task scenario was evaluated in each of two vehicles using twenty five bipolar attribute rating scales chosen to describe users' experience while interacting with controls and displays. Results of a factor analysis on these data revealed that users' experience could be described along four different dimensions. These data were used to compare and contrast the two different vehicles.