Enhancing transparency through interface design is an effective method for improving driving safety while reducing driver workloads, potentially fostering human–machine collaboration. However, to ensure system usability and safety, operator psychological factors and operational performance must be well balanced. This study investigates how the introduction of transparency design into urban rail transit driving tasks influences drivers’ situational awareness (SA), trust in automation (TiA), sense of agency (SoA), workload, operational performance, and visual behavior. Three transparency driver–machine interface (DMI) information conditions were evaluated: DMI1, which provided continuous feedback on vehicle operating status and actions; DMI1+2, which added inferential explanations; and DMI1+2+3, which further incorporated proactive predictions. Results from simulated driving experiments with 32 participants indicated that an appropriate level of transparency significantly enhanced TiA and SoA, thereby yielding the greatest acceptance. High transparency significantly aided in predictable takeover tasks but affected gains in TiA and SoA, increased workload, and disrupted perception-level SA. Compared with previous research findings, this study indicates the presence of a disparity in transparency needs for low-workload tasks. Therefore, caution should be exercised when introducing high-transparency designs in urban rail transit driving tasks. Nonetheless, an appropriate transparency interface design can enhance the driving experience.

Interactive media has demonstrated potential in reducing perceived waiting times and enhancing user experiences across various public contexts. However, its specific effects within traffic environments remain unexplored. This study investigated how different forms of visual media influence individuals' perceived screen effectiveness and perceived waiting time during red-light waiting periods. A within-subjects experiment (N = 44, aged 18–35, gender-balanced) compared the same screen under three different conditions: static condition, linear condition, and interactive condition. Participants estimated their perceived waiting time and reported their perceived screen effectiveness after experienced each condition. The results revealed that the screen under OpenPose-based interactive condition significantly shortened participants' perceived waiting time compared with both the static and linear conditions. Moreover, participants using the screen with interactive condition showed better perceived screen effectiveness, for example, higher levels of engagement and pleasure while reducing boredom and anxiety. Furthermore, higher ratings of negative perceived screen effectiveness were associated with longer perceived waiting times. These findings suggest that embodied interactivity, enabled by OpenPose-based technology, can meaningfully alter subjective time perception and emotional experiences in everyday waiting scenarios. This study extends the application of interactive media to traffic contexts and provides empirical evidence for the potential of embodied interaction design in improving public experience and environmental perception.