Browsing by Author "Trimble, Tammy E."
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- Automated Vehicle Crash Rate Comparison Using Naturalistic DataBlanco, Myra; Atwood, Jon; Russell, Sheldon M.; Trimble, Tammy E.; McClafferty, Julie A.; Perez, Miguel A. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2016-01-08)This study assessed driving risk for the United States nationally and for the Google Self-Driving Car project. Driving safety on public roads was examined in three ways. The total crash rates for the Self-Driving Car and the national population were compared to (1) rates reported to the police, (2) crash rates for different types of roadways, and (3) scenarios that give rise to unreported crashes. First, crash rates from the Google Self-Driving Car project per million miles driven, broken down by severity level were calculated. The Self-Driving Car rates were compared to rates developed using national databases which draw upon police-reported crashes and rates estimated from the Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Naturalistic Driving Study (NDS). Second, SHRP 2 NDS data were used to calculate crash rates for three levels of crash severity on different types of roads, broken down by the speed limit and geographic classification (termed “locality” in the study; e.g., urban road, interstate). Third, SHRP 2 NDS data were again used to describe various scenarios related to crashes with no known police report. This analysis considered whether such factors as driver distraction or impairment were involved, or whether these crashes involved rear-end collisions or road departures. Crashes within the SHRP 2 NDS dataset were ranked according to severity for the referenced event/incident type(s) based on the magnitude of vehicle dynamics (e.g., high Delta-V or acceleration), the presumed amount of property damage (less than or greater than $1,500, airbag deployment), knowledge of human injuries (often unknown in this dataset), and the level of risk posed to the drivers and other road users (Antin, et al., 2015; Table 1). Google Self-Driving Car crashes were also analyzed using the methods developed for the SHRP 2 NDS in order to determine crash severity levels and fault (using these methods, none of the vehicles operating in autonomous mode were deemed at fault in crashes).
- CMV Driver Health OutreachTrimble, Tammy E.; Morgan, Justin F.; Hanowski, Richard J.; Blanco, Myra (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2013-10)Many commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle against the demands of their job. While some previous CMV health programs have been developed, these programs have either not been widely implemented or they fail to adequately address the needs of CMV drivers with programs adaptable to their unique lifestyle challenges. Additionally, reaching this highly fragmented and mobile population has proven difficult. This report describes the development of an integrated social networking-based health effort, called Driving Healthy. The main objective of Driving Healthy was to create a unique health and wellness resource for the CMV community that provides trusted information about a variety of health topics in an easy-to-access fashion, as well as timely updates via social networking platforms. Specific objectives included the development and enhancement of the Driving Healthy website and the social networking platforms that complement the website. In doing so, additional driver-focused health information was produced, along with new outreach tools and materials and expanded connectivity options for this outreach effort. This report documents two project phases. Phase I of the project spanned the period of January 1, 2010, through July 31, 2011, with the sites being launched in January 2011. Phase II covers August 1, 2011, through November 15, 2012, and included the development of additional outreach tools.
- Commercial Motor Vehicle Driving Safety WebsiteTidwell, Scott; Trimble, Tammy E.; Blanco, Myra (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2016-08-06)This report documents the CMV Driving Safety website (http://cmvdrivingsafety.org/), which was created by the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence (NSTSCE) as an outreach effort to assist commercial motor vehicle (CMV) fleets and drivers, driver trainers, CMV training schools, and insurance companies. The website contains 15 unique pages and provides six downloadable training modules on driver distraction, driver health, hours of service, driver drowsiness and fatigue, sharing the road, and safety systems. In addition to profiling the website, the report provides statistics on site visits and the number of times the training modules have been downloaded.
- Consumer Driving Automation System Education: A Learning and Retention AssessmentTrimble, Tammy E.; Baker, Stephanie Ann; Russell, Sheldon M.; Tidwell, Scott (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2020-07-08)For the potential safety benefits of driving automation systems to be fully realized, drivers must understand the capabilities and limitations of these systems. This study explored a range of materials that drivers may access when trying to learn about driving automation system safety features: owner’s manual only, owner’s manual and OEM website video or animation, and owner’s manual and MyCarDoesWhat.org videos. Three vehicles, a 2015 Infiniti Q50, a 2016 Honda CR-V, and a 2015 Chevy Tahoe, were selected to represent a range of vehicle types, sizes, technologies, and price points. Each training condition was tested with each vehicle for a total of nine possible testing scenarios. Thirty-six participants were recruited for the study, with an equal number of males and females from two age groups, 25–39 and 40–54 years old. Participants were balanced across the nine possible testing scenarios. A two-part study was conducted to assess participants’ ability to learn from existing training materials and to determine how well participants were able to retain what they learned. When taking into consideration participants’ self-reported learning styles, average scores across all technologies were fairly comparable across style, and participants were able gain at least a rudimentary understanding of the operation and purposes of driving automation system technologies. However, participants were less sure of the specifics associated with the technologies (i.e., activation, alerts or warnings, and appropriate use). Those in the multimedia testing conditions reported feeling more familiar with the technologies than those in the owner’s manual only condition. Participants found the videos to be an entertaining and easier-to-understand alternative to the manual. Several indicated that they would refer to the video first to see how the technology worked and then refer to the manual to gain a more in-depth understanding. Videos with sound and additional details were preferred to the simpler animations.
- Determining Source-Based and Party-Based Perspectives in the Federal Budget Process: A Content Analysis of United States Executive, Congressional and Agential Budget Communication from 1998 - 2000Trimble, Tammy E. (Virginia Tech, 2010-10-04)This dissertation explored the differences in federal budget communication associated with the development and passage of the Federal Budget Resolution for Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 2001. A computer-aided (i.e., DICTION) content analysis was completed to explore Executive, Legislature, and Agency budget communication for source-based and party-based differences. Source-based differences were explored using the variables Activity, Realism, Optimism, Commonality, Certainty, Public Interest, Budget Concepts, and Functional Budget Categories. When reviewing the findings as a whole — and taking into account the variables, data, and time period analyzed - a distinct and predominant source-based perspective was not present in the federal budget communication associated with the development of the Congressional Budget Resolution. However, it was possible to identify predominant sources for individual variables Activity, Optimism, Commonality, and Certainty. Party-based differences were explored within seven themes: the use of Lakoff's value language; discussions of campaign actors; coalition building rhetoric; moral virtue and entrepreneurialism rhetoric; language of order, efficiency and unity; public interest; and, accusatory language. Variables included Liberal Language, Conservative Language, Party References, Voter References, Leader References, Commonality, Familiarity, Realism, Human Interest, Rapport, Praise, Inspiration, Liberation, Tenacity, Communication, Denial, Public Interest, Blame, and Pessimism. The analysis of party-based differences revealed that Democrats were more likely to incorporate language associated with the following variables: Liberal Language, Conservative Language, Party References, Voter References, Leader References, Human Interest, Rapport, Liberation, Blame, and Pessimism. Republicans were more likely to incorporate language associated with Familiarity, Realism, Tenacity, Communication, and Denial. This research illustrates that within our political institutions generally, and the budget specifically, there are significant source-based and party-based differences in the goals and values communicated by the actors within the federal budget process. If it is possible to gain a better understanding of how actors within this key process communicate, public administrators will be better equipped to engage each other in an honest dialogue and debate that facilitates agreement and understanding. Until source-based and party-based communication barriers have been broken down, the negative tenor in political communication and the public's apathy and frustration towards the political process will continue.
- Draft Final Report: Development of Hazardous Materials (HM) Shipper Prioritization ProgramSchaudt, William A.; Bowman, Darrell Scott; Marinik, Andrew; Baker, Stephanie Ann; Trimble, Tammy E.; Hanowski, Richard J. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2009-02-28)In the mid-1990s, an attempt was made to develop a performance-based prioritization for Hazardous Materials (HM) shippers. During this attempt it became apparent that there was insufficient performance data to develop such a system. In response, FMCSA developed the HM Package Inspection Program (HMPIP) to focus on inspecting individual shipments of HM at the roadside or on carriers’ docks. Due to the improvements made over the years to the package inspection data collected during HMPIP inspections, HM incident data, and improved departmental data identifying companies involved in shipping HM, FMCSA has begun a second effort to develop a performance-based prioritization of HM shippers. The purpose of the current project was for the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to review, document, and recommend improvements to FMCSA’s HM Shipper Prioritization Program. This project consisted of six major tasks, all of which were successfully executed by VTTI. After the kick-off meeting and the successful completion of a detailed work plan, a peer review committee was formed. Members of the peer review committee were to participate in two peer review meetings during the course of the project. The purpose of the first peer review meeting was to have the study methodology and data collection techniques reviewed by the committee. The purpose of the second peer review meeting was to review the study findings and conclusions. Another major step in this project was to review and examine the current Hazardous Materials (HM) Shipper Prioritization Program, which included two distinct prioritization algorithms, and to develop software titled the HM Shipper Prioritization Application (HMSPA). HMSPA was then beta tested in states with existing shipper programs. The focus of these onsite tests was usability testing with potential end users. Both subjective and objective data were collected by way of questionnaires and performance tasks. All results were very positive indicating that the beta version, with minor modifications based on user recommendations, should move forward into a fully functioning application for FMCSA.
- Enhanced Rear Signaling (ERS) for Heavy Trucks: Phase III – Development of Field Operational TestSchaudt, William A.; Bowman, Darrell Scott; Trimble, Tammy E.; Medina, Alejandra; Bocanegra, Joseph L.; Baker, Stephanie Ann; Marinik, Andrew; Wierwille, Walter W.; Hanowski, Richard J. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2010-09)The Enhanced Rear Signaling (ERS) for Heavy Trucks project was directed at investigating methods to reduce or mitigate those crashes where a heavy truck has been struck in the rear by another vehicle. Prior to the current effort, two phases of work had been completed on this project. The purpose of the current effort, Phase III, focused on exploring the benefits of the countermeasures developed in previous phases, and to develop a plan for a large scale Field Operational Test (FOT). During crash database analyses in the current project it was found that, in 2006, there were approximately 23,500 rear-end crashes involving heavy trucks which resulted in 135 fatalities and 1603 incapacitating injuries. Many different types of ERSs were investigated in this study across both the auditory and visual modalities. Visual warning signals were found to be the most beneficial at signaling following-vehicle drivers (more specifically rear warning-light configurations). The research team recommended that one specific configuration be selected for real-world data collection based on its high performance and the potential success of future design implementation. Overall, the final radar-based cautionary ERS system was robust in real-world driving conditions and is recommended for an FOT.
- Establishing a Methodology to Evaluate Teen Driver-training ProgramsTrimble, Tammy E.; Baker, Stephanie Ann; Schaudt, William A.; Schrader, Taryn (Wisconsin. Department of Transportation. Library and Research Unit, 2013-11)The goal of this research project was to develop a methodology to assist the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) in the evaluation of effectiveness of teen driver education programs over the short and long terms. The research effort was divided into two phases. Phase I focused on the development of an evaluative methodology that was based upon a review of the relevant literature and Wisconsin-specific policies and available data sources. This review culminated in a program assessment tool focused on four contributing areas of teen driver training and education: 1) Guardian Involvement, 2) Driver Education and Training Curricula Requirement, 3) GDL Coordination, and 4) Instructor Qualifications. The proposed methodology was presented to the Project Oversight Committee and was validated through two rounds of pilot testing using materials provided by programs and schools under the oversight of both WisDOT and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The resulting methodology informed the Phase II implementation plan recommendations. Work products included within this report are an annotated bibliography, a knowledge base documenting best practices and Wisconsin-specific data source, a methodology that may be used to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of driver-training programs as they relate to the demonstrated safety and behavior of teen drivers in Wisconsin, and a three-phase implementation plan.
- Guidelines for the Operation, Assembly, Repair, Testing and Inspection of Hazardous Material Cargo TanksBowman, Darrell Scott; Marinik, Andrew; Trimble, Tammy E.; Baker, Stephanie Ann; Selz, Allen (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2009-06-30)This document consists of guidelines and recommendations related to operations, assembly, repair, testing and inspection of cargo tanks hauling hazardous materials. This document is the result of research findings from the project titled: Research to Identify the Factors that Affect the Service Life of Cargo Tanks [VTRC # 08-0669-10, FMCSA # TMC75-07-H-00008 Task Order # 2].
- Historical Development of the Travel Shenandoah Pilot ServiceBaker, Stephanie Ann; Hintz, Rewa; Trimble, Tammy E. (United States. Federal Highway Administration, 2002-05)The purpose of this report is to document the historical development of the Travel Shenandoah pilot project. This report will not attempt to describe in detail the entire five-year history; rather it will focus on the major events that helped evolve the program into what it is now. The history covers the period from pre-deployment in 1997, through the evolution of the service into 511 Virginia in February 2002. By analyzing past documents, a history has been developed and is presented in chronological format in this report. This history will become the background for a formal evaluation of the new 511 Virginia service, formerly Travel Shenandoah. There are three sections to this report. The first section is a summary of the original pilot Travel Shenandoah Service. The second is a history from 1997 to 2002, including a brief description of the new 511 Virginia service. The final section is a discussion of the evolution of the Travel Shenandoah business model.
- Human Factors Evaluation of Level 2 and Level 3 Automated Driving Concepts: Concepts of OperationMarinik, Andrew; Bishop, Richard; Fitchett, Vikki L.; Morgan, Justin F.; Trimble, Tammy E.; Blanco, Myra (United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2014-07)The Concepts of Operation document evaluates the functional framework of operations for Level 2 and Level 3 automated vehicle systems. This is done by defining the varying levels of automation, the operator vehicle interactions, and system components; and further, by assessing the automation relevant parameters from a scenario-based analysis stand-point. Specific to the “Human Factors Evaluation of Level 2 and Level 3 Automated Driving Concepts" research effort, scenarios and literature are used to identify the range of near- to mid-term production-intent systems such that follow-on research topics with highest impact potential can be identified through commonalities in operational concepts.
- Human Factors Evaluation of Level 2 and Level 3 Automated Driving Concepts: Past Research, State of Automation Technology, and Emerging System ConceptsTrimble, Tammy E.; Bishop, Richard; Morgan, Justin F.; Blanco, Myra (United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2014-07)Within the context of automation Levels 2 and 3, this report documents the proceedings from a literature review of key human factors studies that was performed related to automated vehicle operations. This document expands and updates the results from a prior literature review that was performed for the US DOT. Content within this document reflects the latest research and OEM activity as of June 2013. Studies both directly addressing automated driving, and those relevant to automated driving concepts have been included. Additionally, documents beyond the academic literature, such as articles, summaries, and presentations from original equipment manufacturers and suppliers, have been researched. Information from both United States and international projects and researchers is included. This document also identifies automated-driving relevant databases in support of future research efforts.
- Koper Curve Principle for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Traffic EnforcementBaker, Stephanie Ann; Trimble, Tammy E. (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2023-08-15)The Koper curve principle postulates that crime deterrence can be improved with an optimal dosage of police presence at hot spot locations. With the goal of better understanding how to reduce commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes, a literature review was conducted to explore whether the Koper Curve principle has ever been applied to efforts aimed at reducing CMV crashes, and if so, how it was applied. In conducting the literature review, several related domains (deterrence, evidence-based policing, and high-visibility enforcement) were also considered as they apply to the use of the Koper Curve for CMV crash reduction. The literature related to the Koper Curve focused primarily on crime deterrence (e.g., robbery), not crash reduction. The literature review revealed one ongoing study that is using the Koper Curve principle toward the goal of reducing CMV crashes on specific interstate corridors (Kentucky Research Center, 2023). Two examples, from Nashville, Tennessee, and São Paulo, Brazil, showed the Koper Curve being applied to crash reduction more generally (not specific to CMVs), which may inform how the Koper Curve could be used to reduce CMV crashes. The literature provided a few best practices that may be helpful to practitioners seeking to reduce crashes in high-risk corridors: (1) use data to target behaviors leading to crashes; (2) use data to identify hot spots where crashes are occurring; (3) provide instruction to officers on how to conduct high-visibility enforcement; and (4) evaluate the enforcement effort.
- Market Guide to Fleet Telematics Services: Creating a Consumer's Guide to Currently Available Aftermarket SolutionsTrimble, Tammy E.; Bowman, Darrell Scott (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2012-12-21)This report documents an effort to review the currently available, aftermarket telematics solutions. The project involved: (a) a survey of the current telematics market; (b) a review of the available telematics systems; (c) an analysis of the usefulness of each identified system; and (d) the creation of a findings summary document formatted as a consumer market guide to telematics systems. The detailed consumer market guide is included and follows the report.
- Methodology to Evaluate Teen Driver Training Programs : [brief]Trimble, Tammy E. (Wisconsin. Department of Transportation, 2014-03)In the United States, teenage drivers are more at risk of being involved in crashes than any other age group. Statistics reveal a clear need for improving teenagers' driving skills, judgment and behavior. Driver education programs are a crucial part of training drivers. These programs are managed on a state-by-state basis, and therefore significant variability can exist between states, and to some degree even within each state.
- Preparing First Responder Stakeholders for ADAS and ADS DeploymentsTrimble, Tammy E.; Faulkner, Daniel (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2024-12-16)Previous research has found that public safety providers are unclear about the capabilities associated with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)- and Automated Driving System (ADS)-related technologies. Providing outreach to this population will reduce uncertainty regarding these technologies, which in turn will lead to improved safety and interactions, including crash documentation, while in the field. A training curriculum was developed that consisted of two parts: (1) a classroom portion which can be delivered in-person or online and (2) a hands-on experiential portion. Two training options were presented to local agencies: (1) an approximately 1-hour online session, to be held at the agency’s convenience, which covers the prepared training materials; and (2) an in-person, half-day session which covers the prepared training materials and provides exposure to ADAS- and ADS-equipped vehicles. Recruitment efforts resulted in five in-person and six online attendees. In-person attendees represented three separate organizations, with one organization being represented by officers from three locations. The online attendees represented six separate organizations. Only one organization had an attendee in both the in-person and online options. To better understand the time to be allotted for the online training, the in-person training was held first. As a result, the online training was ultimately extended to 1.5 to 2 hours, which allowed time for discussion throughout the training. Feedback received directly from the participants at the conclusion of the training and via the online questionnaires was overwhelmingly positive. Moving forward, the training materials will need to be updated on a continual basis to ensure the ongoing timeliness of information shared. To share the materials with a wider range of individuals, the training could be developed and shared in a manner like the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s (VTTI’s) Sharing the Road program, where VTTI representatives visit schools to provide information and hands-on encounters to promote safely sharing the road with large trucks. A key to success will be employing individuals with first responder experience to provide the training. Feedback suggested that those with hands-on experience combined with their ties to VTTI resulted in perceived credibility. Also, providing hands-on opportunities to see variations in technologies across vehicle models and applications was considered beneficial. Working with VTTI partners, it may be possible to obtain demonstration vehicles for this purpose. Through this development process, the team can work towards accreditation and providing the training as part of academy, in-service, or regional training days.
- Synthesis of Literature and Operating Safety Practices Related to Cell Phone/Personal Data Assistant Use in Commercial Truck and Bus Operations (Technical Report)Morgan, Justin F.; Trimble, Tammy E.; Bowman, Darrell Scott; Baker, Stephanie Ann; Pickett, Raquel; Murray, Dan; Bergoffen, Gene (United States. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2011-04)There is an increasing awareness of the role of driver distraction in commercial motor vehicle crashes. This study presents the results of efforts to expand current knowledge of truck and motorcoach industry practices regarding commercial driver distraction. The project involved a thorough literature review on driver distraction. Little research specifically addressed commercial driver distraction; those studies that did examine commercial driving typically found significant degradations in driver performance due to visually demanding device use. However, the findings of automotive driver distraction research vary based on the type of examination (i.e., simulator, test-track, or naturalistic data collection methods) and the aspect of phone use. These findings, in light of the importance and potential safety risks posed by driver distraction, may help guide further research into the nature and magnitude of distraction faced by CMV drivers as part of their normal job functions.
- Vehicle-width Measurement Technology Development: Phase I Technical MemorandumMarinik, Andrew; Trimble, Tammy E.; Baker, Stephanie Ann; Bryson, Jared; Schaudt, William A.; Bowman, Darrell Scott (Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research, 2011-08)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) was tasked with investigating the feasibility of developing a vehicle-width measurement and alert system to reduce over-width violations in Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) work zones. A two-phase approach was developed to investigate the measurement system feasibility. During Phase I, the focus of the current report, VTTI first generated design criteria with support from stakeholders (i.e., the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research [VCTIR] and VDOT). Next, researchers and engineers assessed existing vehicle-width measurement systems against these criteria to determine design gaps, and then explored solutions (e.g., new technologies) to these design gaps. Identified potential solutions were then tested on the Virginia Smart Road. In the end, VTTI developed a preliminary system architecture for a vehicle-width measurement system. Based on the findings of this research effort three recommendations are offered to guide future development of a vehicle-width measurement system.
- Voluntary Versus Mandatory Standards: Analysis of Voluntary and Mandatory Regulations Use Cases to Address Rapidly Developing TechnologiesMaheshwary, Anurag; Fitzgerald, Kaitlyn; Trimble, Tammy E.; Blanco, Myra (National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, 2021-04-20)This report examines the approaches that are being used by a variety of institutions to regulate rapidly emerging technologies in transportation. Several case studies were examined to determine if there are relevant criteria and situational contexts that determine an agency’s choice of either voluntary standards (industry self-regulation) or governmental rulemaking. From this case study analysis, the research team identified the following: • “Voluntary” and “mandatory” models of rulemaking are not binary choices; rather they are different points along a continuum. • The federal government, including the Department of Transportation, have developed regulatory tools that rely on both voluntary and mandatory approaches to accommodate innovation. • Alternative approaches of rulemaking utilized by other agencies, such as a cooperative mixed-model, may be useful for future regulation of automated vehicles.