Browsing by Author "Higgins, Laura L."
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- Driver Training Research and Guidelines for Automated Vehicle TechnologyManser, Michael P.; Noble, Alexandria M.; Machiani, Sahar Ghanipoor; Shortz, Ashley; Klauer, Charlie; Higgins, Laura L.; Ahmadi, Alidad (SAFE-D: Safety Through Disruption National University Transportation Center, 2019-07)The advent of advanced driver-assistance systems presents the opportunity to significantly improve transportation safety. Complex sensor-based systems within vehicles can take responsibility for tasks typically performed by drivers, thus reducing driver-related error as a source of crashes. While there may be a reduction in driver errors, these systems fundamentally change the driving task from manual control to supervisory control. A significant challenge, given this fundamental change in the driving task, is that there are no established methods to train drivers on the use of these systems, which may be counterproductive to safety improvements. The aim of the project was to develop training protocol guidelines that could be used by advanced driver-assistance system trainers to optimize driving safety. The guidelines were developed based on the results of three activities that included the development of a taxonomy of the knowledge and skills necessary to operate advanced driver-assistance systems, a driving simulator study that examined the effectiveness of traditional training protocols, and a test track study that examined the efficacy of a vehicle-based training protocol. Results of both studies suggest that differing training protocols are most beneficial in terms of driver cognitive load and visual scanning as opposed to short-term changes in performance.
- Older Drivers and Transportation Network Companies: Investigating Opportunities for Increased Safety and Improved MobilityTooley, Melissa; Zmud, Johanna; Ettelman, Benjamin L.; Moran, Maarit M.; Higgins, Laura L.; Shortz, Ashley; Wheeler, Eric (SAFE-D: Safety Through Disruption National University Transportation Center, 2019-06)Transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft offer an increasingly popular alternative to driving a personal vehicle. This project investigated the potential of TNCs to increase the safety and enhance the mobility of older adults who are experiencing a decline in driving ability. Interviews with commercial and non-profit transportation providers and focus groups of adults ranging from age 65 to over 85 identified attitudes and perceptions toward TNCs and related services targeting senior adults, as well as ongoing barriers to TNC use by this demographic. Barriers include insufficient familiarity and comfort with using smartphone applications, a lack of knowledge among older adults about how TNCs operate, and lack of availability of TNC services in many rural areas. Increased availability of TNC services targeted toward older adults may help to overcome some of these barriers. The project team developed outreach and education materials for older adults on how to access and use TNC services.
- Safety Perceptions of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) by the Blind and Visually ImpairedSimek, Christopher L.; Higgins, Laura L.; Sener, Ipek Nese; Moran, Maarit M.; Geiselbrecht, TIna S.; Hansen, Todd W.; Walk, Michael J.; Ettelman, Benjamin L.; Plunkett, Michelle (SAFE-D: Safety Through Disruption National University Transportation Center, 2018-10)For individuals that are visually impaired, access to safe and reliable transportation can be a significant challenge. The limited menu of mobility options can culminate in a reduced quality of life and more difficulty accessing housing and employment, relative to sighted individuals. Transportation network companies (TNCs, or ridesharing companies) have emerged as a new mode of travel that has the potential to increase access to transportation for the visually impaired. The opportunities and challenges for TNC use by individuals with blindness or visual impairment has not been widely studied. The goal of this research is to use both qualitative and quantitative methods to identify how this community perceives the safety of TNCs relative to other travel modes, and how they utilize TNCs for safe travel. The findings suggest that TNCs are used by a significant proportion of this population. The findings also suggest that one’s experience (or lack thereof) with TNC use has a strong influence on the safety perceptions of this new mode of travel. Finally, while TNCs present an opportunity for riders that are visually impaired to become more engaged in myriad activities, there are still areas in which ridesharing companies can make improvements.