Human Factors
Westat's human factors research uses laboratory simulation, instrumented vehicles, and roadway
instrumentation to measure driver behavior and performance for a wide range of driving situations and vehicle
characteristics.
- For the National Academy of Sciences' National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Westat determined
traffic signal performance requirements to accommodate normal and color-vision-deficient drivers.
- Westat has conducted a wide variety of studies related to intelligent transportation systems. These
studies for FHWA and NHTSA include the following:
- Instrumented vehicle research on the ability of drivers to use in-vehicle displays while
driving,
- Research and guidelines development for in-vehicle crash avoidance warnings,
- Research on the effectiveness of advanced traveler information systems influencing driver
route choice,
- Evaluation of the risks associated with wireless communications in vehicles, and
- Analysis of issues related to integrating multiple in-vehicle intelligent devices.
- Westat has conducted numerous studies of high-risk driver groups for NHTSA, FHWA, and NIH including the
following:
- Development and evaluation of methodologies for classifying and measuring the incidence of aggressive
driving.
- Study of roadway design features that are related to teenage driver crashes.
- Investigation of the effects of passengers and other distractions on teen driving safety.
- Examination of the safety impacts of truck drivers' use of new in-cab communications and navigation
technologies.
- Westat has planned and conducted a variety of expert panels, workshops, and conferences on highway safety
issues for DOT clients. Topics have included the following:
- Collision avoidance systems,
- Innovative use of technology to increase seat belt use,
- Driver distraction,
- In situ ("black box") recording of driving,
- Traveler information system requirements,
- Countermeasures to address driver maneuver errors, and
- Problems of young and inexperienced drivers.
- For NHTSA, Westat managed an Internet conference on driver distraction problems related to in-vehicle
technologies, such as cell phones and computers. This innovative forum generated extensive national publicity and
collected a broad range of public, industry, and research expert opinion.
- For the National Academy of Sciences' National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Westat examined
the effectiveness of the signs and markings used to delineate rail-highway grade crossings. The project
developed improved low-cost methods to better alert approaching drivers about crossings that
are unprotected by gates or lights. For the Federal Railroad Administration, we developed statistical models for predicting
the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes at rail-highway grade crossings.
For more information about the Transportation Research Area,
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