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Browsing by Author "Chihak, Benjamin J"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    The Effectiveness and Safety of Traffic and Non-Traffic Related Messages Presented on Changeable Message Signs (CMS)
    (2003-06-01) Harder, Kathleen A; Bloomfield, John; Chihak, Benjamin J
    The objectives of this study investigating Changeable Message Signs (CMS) were to determine whether or not CMS messages really work, whether or not they cause traffic slow downs, and whether or not they have an impact on traffic flow. The participants were 120 licensed drivers from three age groups-18-24, 32-47, and 55-65 years old. Two experiments were conducted in a fully-interactive, PC-based STISIM driving simulator. Experiment One investigated the effectiveness of the following message, CRASH/AT WYOMING AVE/USE THOMPSON EXIT. In Experiment Two, the final CMS message was: AMBER ALERT/RED FORD TRUCK/MN LIC# SLM 509. Results. In Experiment Two, only 8.3% of the participants had Excellent AMBER Recall Scores, while 51.7% had Good scores. Gender significantly affected the AMBER Recall Scores-there were more females than males in the Excellent Category. A greater proportion of those who knew what AMBER Alert meant were in the Excellent and Good Categories. 21.7% of the participants slowed down by at least 2 mph. Whether or not traffic delays will result from drivers slowing to read AMBER Alerts in real life will depend on the extent of the slow downs and on current traffic density. In Experiment One, 55.8% of the participants took the Thompson Exit after seeing the Thompson Exit Message. Of the 53 participants who did not take the exit (1) 35.9% ignored the CMS message because they did not think that it applied to them; (2) 35.9% did not understand the CMS message; and (3) 22.5% did not notice the message. (It is not known why 5.7% of the 53 did not take the exit.) Changes to the wording of the messages are recommended.
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    The Effectiveness of Auditory Side- and Forward-Collision Avoidance Warnings on Snow Covered Roads in Conditions of Poor Visibility
    (2003-06-01) Harder, Kathleen A; Bloomfield, John; Chihak, Benjamin J
    Because the snowplow operator's tasks are predominately visual, warnings presented visually may interfere with critical tasks. Auditory warnings could reduce visual load if they are meaningful, effectively signal danger, and are not annoying. We conducted a driving simulation experiment-using a 210-degree forward field-of-view driving simulator-and a field test to investigate using auditory icons as side- and forward-collision avoidance warnings. Participants in the experiment drove on simulated snow-covered roads in 105-meter (344-feet) visibility conditions. Analysis of data from 28 participants showed the side-collision avoidance warnings were equally effective; lane change response times were approximately 1.1 seconds for both a single- 187/ double-beep car horn warning-although participants said the double-beep warning sounded more urgent. Analysis of the forward-collision avoidance warning data, obtained from 32 participants, showed the mean response time with a warning consisting of two bursts of screeching-tire sounds was significantly faster than with a singlescreech warning-with both warnings significantly faster than the mean time obtained when no warning was given. The poorest collision outcomes occurred with no warning-outcomes were better with the single-screech warning, and better still with the double-screech warning (which the participants said sounded more urgent than the single-beep warning). In the field test, six of seven snowplow operators preferred the double-beep side-collision warning. We recommend an auditory icon sounding like the double-beep of a car horn be used as a side-collision avoidance warning and an auditory icon sounding like two successive bursts of screeching tires should be used as a forward-collision avoidance warning. A driving simulation experiment was conducted to investigate auditory icons as side- and forward-collision avoidance warnings. The auditory warnings produced significantly faster mean response times than with no warning, and participants preferred a double-beep side collision warning over a single-beep warning. Researchers recommend a double-beep auditory warning similar to the double-beep of a car horn for side-collision avoidance and a forward-collision avoidance warning similar to two successive bursts of screeching tires.
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    The Effects of In-Lane Rumble Strips on the Stopping Behavior of Attentive Drivers
    (2001-10-01) Harder, Kathleen A; Bloomfield, John; Chihak, Benjamin J
    This project involved investigating the effect, if any, of rumble strips on stopping behavior at simulated rural-controlled intersections. Researchers used the wrap-around driver simulator at the University of Minnesota's Human Factors Research Laboratory for the project. Researchers varied the rumble strip type and the number of rumble strips and tested them on two different types of controlled intersections, two-way or four-way, and in the presence and absence of traffic. Results indicate that none of these manipulations seem to affect the point at which drivers stop at the controlled intersections or the point at which drivers start to slow down at controlled intersections. The research did reveal drivers brake more, earlier, when rumble strips are installed than they do if there are no rumble strips. Although they started to slow down at the same time and finished braking at the same time, there was more use of the brake earlier in the slowing down maneuver in the presence of rumble strips. Results also reveal that drivers brake more and earlier with full coverage rumble strips than they do with wheel track rumble strips.
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    Evaluation Report Volume 1: System Performance and Human Factors
    (2003-11-01) Harder, Kathleen A; Bloomfield, John; Chihak, Benjamin J; Shankwitz, Craig; Donath, Max
    This report documents the evaluation efforts undertaken by the Minnesota Team to complement the work undertaken by the independent government evaluator, Battelle. The Minnesota evaluation team focused on two specific areas: human factors and benefit cost analyses. Human factors issues include driver acceptance, reduction in driver fatigue, the effectiveness of the driver interface, and the measurable changes in driver performance. The Driver Assistive System (DAS), which is under evaluation for the US DOT Specialty Vehicle Generation Zero Field Operational Test, is designed to provide drivers a means to maintain desired lane position and avoid collisions with obstacles during periods of very low visibility. Specialty vehicles often must operate under inclement weather conditions and associated low visibility situations. The DAS improves safety for the specialty vehicle operator by providing the necessary cues for lane keeping and collision avoidance normally unavailable during poor visibility conditions. The DAS may also improve safety conditions for the general public by facilitating all-weather emergency services, and in the case of snowplows, opening roads and keeping them passable in heavy weather for other emergency vehicles and the general motoring public.