A conceptual model for vehicle navigation systems

The author shows how his conceptual model relates to the cognitive processes that go on during vehicle navigation and driving. Conceptually, the system may include human minds as well as various vehicle navigation aids. It must be able to perform five fundamental functions: geographic database, location of vehicle and destination, route planning, instruction generation, and vehicle control. It also must provide links or communication methods whereby information and commands may flow among these components. These functions may be grouped and assigned to various people and devices involved in the system. Adoption of this model allows researchers to focus more clearly on particular components of the system and on the associated research questions.<>