Abstract

High-performance track-day driving requires drivers to maintain situational awareness while operating vehicles at high speeds. During these conditions, drivers must continuously monitor track signals, surrounding vehicles, and changing hazards while maintaining precise vehicle control. Missed or delayed recognition of critical information can increase safety risks and disrupt traffic flow on the racetrack. This thesis explores the design of a helmet-mounted visor head-up display (HUD) intended to support experienced track-day drivers by selectively presenting critical information in real time. The system prioritizes contextually relevant alerts and minimizes visual distraction through a simplified visual hierarchy. Hazards are categorized by severity and communicated using brief or persistent visual cues depending on risk level. In addition, the system addresses the point-by passing protocol commonly used in United States track-day events by visually confirming passing signals to reduce ambiguity and hesitation. The contribution of this project is a context-aware visual hierarchy for safety-critical, high-speed driving environments that emphasizes clarity and restraint over continuous data display. The proposed system was developed and evaluated through iterative mock-ups and peer review, focusing on legibility, perceived usefulness, and perceived cognitive demand in track-day scenarios.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Head-up displays--Design and construction; Automobile racing--Equipment and supplies--Design and construction

Publication Date

12-15-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Visual Communication Design (MFA)

College

College of Art and Design

Advisor

Mike Strobert

Advisor/Committee Member

Daniel DeLuna

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

VISCOM-MFA

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