Improving the safety on road with driver communication

Ever found yourself at an intersection, unsure of the next move? We've all been there! While waving a hand might work in some cases, what about those situations where it's just not feasible? 🤷♀️

The goal was to tackle the pain points of traditional driving, where communicating with fellow drivers can be a real challenge. We wanted to find a solution that would make driving more satisfying and, most importantly, safer. Through extensive research, we identified scenarios where effective communication between drivers is essential. We also set out to propose innovative license plate designs that could act as a communication mechanism on the road.

📚🔍By implementing these designs, drivers can quickly grasp the situation around them, fostering better understanding and rapport on the road. This way, we aim to minimize accidents and create a more harmonious driving environment. 🚧🙌

How are scenarios identified?
To identify the scenarios, we extensively reviewed literature on driver-to-driver communication, noting relevant scenarios from different studies. We also conducted our own primary research, driving on the roads and observing how drivers communicate in various situations. This firsthand experience deepened our understanding of when and how drivers need to communicate with each other.

What are the scenarios identified ?
1. Suddenly parking on the side of the road.
2. The car in front is stuck at a green light signal.
3. A car intends to go straight from a left-turn lane.
4. Facing another car in a narrow street.
5. Preventing someone from cutting in front.
6. Yielding when someone is cutting in.
7. Dealing with sudden cut-ins by other drivers.
8. The car in front is driving too slowly.
9. Dealing with car issues while driving.
10. Dealing with tailgating from another driver.
11. Not allowing others to merge into a lane.

Why did we do primary research ?
Our approach for primary research was driven by the need to validate scenarios, identify user pain points, and gather requirements for a potential product. To achieve this, we engaged with users directly, aiming to empathize with their situations and gain a deeper understanding.

Conducting focus groups and one-on-one interviews allowed us to gather valuable insights and enhance our understanding of user needs.

What data have been analyzed and what were our understanding ?
During this phase, we analyzed a wide range of data related to driver-to-driver communication that has been collected from focus groups, interviews & Literature review. To simplify the process, we identified key themes and categorized the insights accordingly. We made sure to consider all ideas and requirements, noting them down to understand user pain points.

The data was divided into four categories: pain points in current driver-to-driver communication, user requirements about the product, ideas for the product, other relevant scenarios that were highlighted.

How did we generate ideas?
With three people in the group, it was difficult to generate ideas. In order to ensure a well-rounded perspective, we called upon participants from our focus group, valuing their invaluable insights. Empowered by the Crazy 8 technique, we challenged them to ponder the questions and generate eight groundbreaking ideas. This immersive experience allowed us to conduct an illuminating idea generation workshop.

Total participants : 5       
Total Number of ideas generated : 156      
‍Technique : Crazy 8

Now, what were the questions ?
1. Enhancing Driver-to-Driver Communication : How can we foster effective communication among drivers?
2. Precision in Expression: How can we enable drivers to communicate specific information with clarity and precision?
3. Tackling Communication Abuse: How can we curb the misuse of driver-to-driver communication in this new technological landscape?
4. Swift and Responsive Communication: How can we establish a rapid and efficient system for drivers to connect seamlessly?

How did we plan our prototyping?
Based on user feedback and extensive research, we've crafted three distinct design concepts to explore cognitive load, ease of understanding, and effective communication. By integrating insights from our focus group data and diverse literature, our aim is to identify the most impactful and user-friendly design solution.

What are three design variations for the prototyping?
Variation 1 : Traffic Signal
Variation 2 : Emoticon Design
Variation 3 : Text on the license plate

What we wanted to test?
As mentioned, we came up with three variations in the design, so we wanted to understand some of the metrics such as mental workload to understand which design variation would work best for users. So we have prepared a survey containing questions in each of the category.

Platform used : Prolific
Total number of participants : 124
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What is the flow of the survey and parameters tested ?
‍1. Consent from the User
2. Demographic Questions
3. Training Scenario Videos
4. Situational Awareness Questions
5. Technology Acceptance Model Questions
6. Understandability
7. Mental Workload
8. Open Feedback Questions

What was the feedback from the users ?
Effectiveness:
1. Positive feedback was received regarding the Traffic Signs and Text designs.
2. Participants found these designs to be simple and straightforward.
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Distraction:
1. There were concerns about the distracting nature of all three designs.
2. Participants felt that the messages displayed were distracting for drivers.
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Clarity:
1. Concerns were raised about the clarity of the messages in the designs.
2. Participants found it difficult to read the messages quickly and felt there was too much text.

What did I find out during this project ?
Communication is a key factor contributing to 7% of road accidents. To address this issue, the US Department of Transportation is actively working on connecting vehicles, utilizing both radio and cellular networks. By establishing seamless connections, they aim to enhance communication and promote safer roads.
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What were my learnings ?
🎯Moderator Role: Uncovering Growth Areas
During the focus group sessions, I took on the role of moderator, revealing areas for personal improvement. It taught me to be more spontaneous, ask probing questions with multiple participants, and proactively seek experiential input.
🎯User Insights as Guideposts
I learned the power of referencing user insights when faced with design roadblocks. For instance, during ideation, I struggled to pinpoint my focus. By revisiting focus group recordings, I discovered new ideas and regained momentum.
🎯Leveraging Automotive Expertise
Seeking guidance from automotive engineers proved instrumental. Luckily, our focus group included individuals with automotive backgrounds. Their insights proved invaluable in shaping my project. Collaborating with domain experts enhanced my design process.

What did I find out during this project ?
Communication is a key factor contributing to 7% of road accidents. To address this issue, the US Department of Transportation is actively working on connecting vehicles, utilizing both radio and cellular networks. By establishing seamless connections, they aim to enhance communication and promote safer roads.
‍
What were my learnings ?
🎯Moderator Role: Uncovering Growth Areas
During the focus group sessions, I took on the role of moderator, revealing areas for personal improvement. It taught me to be more spontaneous, ask probing questions with multiple participants, and proactively seek experiential input.
🎯User Insights as Guideposts
I learned the power of referencing user insights when faced with design roadblocks. For instance, during ideation, I struggled to pinpoint my focus. By revisiting focus group recordings, I discovered new ideas and regained momentum.
🎯Leveraging Automotive Expertise
Seeking guidance from automotive engineers proved instrumental. Luckily, our focus group included individuals with automotive backgrounds. Their insights proved invaluable in shaping my project. Collaborating with domain experts enhanced my design process.