Indicating Change: Comparing Traditional and Modern Turn Signal Controls
Authors
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-06-12
Pages
10
Abstract
The automotive industry's shift toward digital interfaces has led to significant changes in how drivers interact with in-vehicle controls, including turn signals. This study investigates how alternative turn signal input modalities, such as steering wheel buttons inspired by Tesla, a VW patent, and Citroën's pod-type interface, affect driver attention and usability compared to the traditional stalk. Using a simulated driving environment, 20 participants evaluated four interfaces through a mixed-methods approach involving eye-tracking, System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaires, and post-test interviews. Results consistently showed the traditional stalk as the most effective interface, requiring the least additional attention from the driver and receiving the highest usability scores. Interfaces mounted on the steering wheel (Tesla and VW) were less intuitive and more distracting, particularly in roundabouts, while the Citroën interface offered a compromise with mixed feedback.
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