We are excited to share our latest open‑access article in Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives:
“How does short training on the use of in‑car touchscreen influence driving performance? Insights from a driving simulator study.”
Touchscreens are now central to modern vehicles, offering navigation, entertainment, and climate control in one sleek interface. But with innovation comes a challenge: how can drivers quickly adapt to unfamiliar systems without compromising safety? Our study at NORD University’s TRAFIKKLAB explored a promising solution—brief, instructor‑led pre‑drive training.
Using a high‑fidelity driving simulator, 60 licensed drivers were divided into two groups: trained and untrained. Both groups performed common infotainment tasks while driving on a motorway scenario. We measured speed control, lane‑keeping, and workload to understand the real impact of short training.
Key insights
- Training helps drivers complete tasks more successfully, reducing hesitation and improving confidence with new interfaces.
- While core driving metrics (speed and lane position) remained similar across groups, familiarity and repeated exposure led to measurable improvements in lateral control, showing the value of practice.
- Trained drivers reported greater awareness of task demands, which may support safer decision‑making in real traffic.
- Gender differences emerged in adaptation strategies, highlighting the importance of personalized approaches.
Why this matters
As car‑sharing and rentals become more common, drivers often face unfamiliar dashboards. Our findings suggest that short, targeted training combined with intuitive interface design can make these transitions smoother and safer. This research opens the door to innovative training solutions and smarter HMI design that keep drivers focused on the road.
Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2026.101845