Conceptual Design of Vehicle Indicator Panels: An Educational Framework for Teaching Safety, Human–Machine Interaction, and Systems Engineering

Abstract

This paper develops a conceptual design methodology for vehicle indicator panels and situationally color-changing display systems while positioning these engineering concepts as pedagogical tools for science and engineering education. As automation and cyber-physical transportation systems advance, students and trainees must acquire competencies in safety engineering, human–machine interaction, real-time decision-making, and system interface design. The study examines the functional principles of indicator panels, formulates a conceptual design method, and establishes optimization criteria relevant to both engineering practice and instructional settings. Using system engineering, ergonomic design, communication theory, and ontological analysis, the research models information processing in normal and abnormal operating conditions. The resulting methodology not only supports safer interface development but also provides an educational framework for integrating conceptual modeling, risk analysis, and interface design into engineering curricula. The novelty of this work lies in linking indicator panel design with science education by transforming a complex engineering task into a structured learning model that enhances students’ understanding of system behavior, safety logic, and the cognitive dimensions of human–machine interaction.