Overview
ISO 17287:2003 - "Road vehicles - Ergonomic aspects of transport information and control systems - Procedure for assessing suitability for use while driving" - defines a structured, user‑oriented procedure to assess whether specific transport information and control systems (TICS) or combinations of in‑vehicle systems are suitable for use while driving. The standard focuses on human factors and ergonomics: compatibility with the primary driving task, potential interference, controllability, efficiency, learning, and the documentation of assessment results. It is intended as a prospective assessment tool used during design and development, and is applicable to original‑equipment and after‑market TICS.
Key topics and technical requirements
- User‑oriented TICS description and context of use
- Define intended use, market, general function, technical context and benefits.
- Identify functions not intended for use while driving and measures to prevent improper use or foreseeable misuse.
- Describe how failures will be apparent to the driver.
- Task description and task analysis
- Break down driver interaction tasks and their relation to the primary driving task (navigating, manoeuvring, handling).
- Identify HMI components, modes, and potential behavioural adaptation.
- Assessment process
- Use a methodical assessment (behavioural analysis, workload assessment, FMEA, etc.) with appropriate techniques (eye‑tracking, subjective measures, physiological metrics).
- Assess interference, controllability, efficiency and learnability; identify and address suitability issues.
- Note: ISO 17287:2003 does not prescribe specific variables, thresholds or pass/fail criteria for suitability.
- Documentation
- Record and document context, methods, variables, assessment results and any mitigations or design changes.
Practical applications
- Use during product design, integration and pre‑deployment verification to:
- Evaluate driver distraction risk and ergonomics of infotainment, navigation, driver assistance UI and integrated HMI.
- Guide decisions when combining multiple in‑vehicle systems or sourcing components from different suppliers.
- Support risk management (e.g., failure modes and effects analysis) and regulatory or corporate quality processes.
- Typical users:
- Vehicle manufacturers (OEMs), TICS suppliers, human factors engineers, HMI designers, safety assessors and regulatory compliance teams.
Related standards
- ISO 15005 - Dialogue management principles and compliance procedures for TICS.
- ISO 15008 - Specifications for in‑vehicle visual presentation (displays).
- ISO 17287 complements these by specifying the procedure to assess suitability for use while driving and documenting findings.
Keywords: ISO 17287:2003, TICS, transport information and control systems, ergonomics, driver distraction, human factors, suitability assessment, in‑vehicle HMI, usability, controllability, interference.