This study compared driver acceptance of general icons to specific icons for In-Vehicle Information System (IVIS) devices. In the study, general and paired specific icons, along with two unrelated icons, were tested in both the general and specific driving scenarios. Subjects were asked to select: (1) one icon that most accurately described the driving scenario; and (2) one or more icons that would be acceptable for the driving scenario. The most accurate icon type selected by the subjects was strongly associated with the given scenario type, with the exception of collision avoidance. That is, when the driving scenario was described in general terms, subjects typically selected general icons as most accurately representing the scenario; when the driving scenario was described in specific terms, subjects typically selected specific icons as most accurately representing the scenario. In contrast to the icon accuracy, high acceptance levels were obtained for both general and specific icons regardless of the driving scenario description. Therefore, general icons are capable of meeting driver expectations and preferences for a broad range of IVIS messages. Recommendations for icon design are: (1) general icons should be used as long as they do not negatively impact driver acceptance or driver performance; and (2) for safety-related messages, specific icons will provide higher levels of driver acceptance than general icons.
Graphics and Semantics: The Relationship between What Is Seen and What Is Meant in Icon Design
