In the traffic jam of the future, an electronic device on your car may tell you where to go to find an alternative route. In driving-simulator tests, UC Davis researchers compared the safety aspects of using three of these electronic pathfinders compared to a standard map. The paper map was the clear loser both in terms of driver preference and driver safety. The easiest electronic device to use was a voice that instructed the driver when and where to turn. The safest electronic device was a display mounted low on the window in front of the driver that listed the present road name, the next road and where to turn, as well as a digital mileage countdown until the next turn. The third device in the group was an electronic map of the area with the route highlighted in red. "The good news with these simulator tests is that properly designed electronic technologies can be safe," says Paul Jovanis, professor of engineering at UC Davis. Jovanis will present this paper in session No. 114 at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 12, in the Sheraton.