Browsing by Author "Stackhouse, Stirling"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Effectiveness of Marketing Campaigns for Grade Crossing Safety
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1998-01) Stackhouse, Stirling
    This project examined grade crossing safety and human factors through a variety of research methods: focus groups, a telephone survey, a literature review, and an analysis based on a new approach by Neil Lerner. Learner notes that drivers should not be treated as reckless, inattentive speeders. Instead, they should be considered decision makers who use information of limited quantity and quality against a background of knowledge shaped primarily by their experience of trains rarely appearing when they cross. Researchers found no evidence that additional education programs or public awareness campaigns had any lasting effect on the frequency of grade crossing accidents. Researchers also found no evidence suggesting that bigger or brighter or other modifications of traditional signs or signals led to favorable changes in drivers' behaviors at grade crossings. The report concludes that using available sensor-processor-message display technology, configured in a way to promote improved driver decision making, offers the potential for grade crossing accident reduction. Researchers recommend additional studies to investigate this potential for grade crossing accident reduction.
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    Following Advice from Traffic Advisories
    (1994-07) Dewing, Wende; Stackhouse, Stirling
    This report presents data using multiple-choice questionnaires to learn how drivers respond to traffic information in the form of advisory messages. Two experiments, comprising 112 participants, were conducted using the same technique and yielding similar results. The traffic information messages presented to participants varied in three respects; quantitativeness of information, imperativeness of advice, and timeliness of information. Two additional factors were examined; the amount of traffic congestion stated to be directly observable on the route and the stated accuracy of messages received in the past. Results obtained from the questionnaires indicate that the structure of the traffic message did influence the driver behavior. The propensity to depart from the planned route ahead of schedule was greater when respondents had; few exit options remaining, been told traffic levels were high, received accurate traffic information in the past, and had received messages which contained quantitative and/or imperative information. Traffic controllers with this knowledge of driver behavior could act to further reduce trip times and congestion by using the control tools currently available to them. The major conclusion we can draw from this study is that when possible and appropriate, advisory messages should contain accurate, timely, quantitative and imperative information.
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    Human Factors Evaluation of the Delco RDS Radio Receiver and the RDS Architecture
    (1994-08) Burrus, Max E.; Johnson, Sara M.; Williams, Gayna; Stackhouse, Stirling
    This report presents the results of a one year comprehensive human factors analysis on the prototype Delco RDS device supplied by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. RDS devices provide a means of transmitting traffic information to motorist using the existing Traffic Management Center's resources. This study examined the devices and the means of transmitting information using ergonomic and human factors principles. This study expanded upon the functions of these devices and their ability to transmit information, as well as their integration within the automobile. The study was completed by examining the data entry tasks required to transmit messages and the TMC's operations as pertaining to messages and delivery to the end-users. Five tasks were completed with the following findings: Ergonomically, the prototype device requires further refinement to provide a user friendly interface. Linkage analysis and flow charting extracted areas where operations of the device was impeded by design. Simulation and on-road study elicited difficulty in operating the device while maintaining driving proficiency. Highly significant deviations were found between normal driving behavior and driving performance when simultaneously operating the device. This suggests an increase in attentional demand which is placed on the driver operating the device when they should be focused on the task of driving. Finally, assessment of data entry personnel and the TMC operations found several areas for improvement in the CrusaderTM message assembly program interface and message content. Recommendations are provided following each task.
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    Human Factors Evaluation of the Volvo Dynaguide and Ford Indikta RBDS-TMC Receivers
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1995-03) Burrus, Max; Johnson, Sara M.; Stackhouse, Stirling
    This report presents the results of a one year comprehensive human factors analysis on the Volvo Dynaguide Mapping system and the Indikta Voice messaging devices supplied by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. RBDS-TMC devices provide a means of transmitting traffic information to motorist using the existing Traffic Management Center's (TMC) resources. This study examined the devices and the means of transmitting information using ergonomic and human factors principles. This study expanded upon the functions of these devices and their ability to transmit information, as well as their integration within the automobile. Further we examined the message assembly software and the resultant messages delivered to the end users. To complete this study we completed a feasibility of on-road study methods, and surveyed the TMC control room staff as to their desires and needs in workplace design and management. Six tasks were completed with the following findings: Ergonomically, both devices require further refinement to provide a user friendly interface. Linkage analysis and flow charting extracted areas where operation of the device was impeded by design as well as highlighting the many positive features of each device. Simulation study elicited the need for further examination of user preferences and the need to use a wide age-based study group. This was evident in the differing opinions of younger versus older drivers. Assessment of the message assembly program and delivered message content revealed several areas of needed refinement, including beta testing of the outputs of the devices with the message assembly software. Finally, an on-road protocol feasibility study was completed and a workplace assessment was completed at the TMC control room.
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    Human Factors for Transitway Safety Improvement: Final Report for Phase 1
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 1996-07) Stackhouse, Stirling; Tranchida, Donna
    A human factors study was performed to identify potential cause of accidents at eight Transitway intersections. Data were collected on bus operators' driving behavior, on motorists' behavior at Transitway intersections and on sight distances at the intersections. From some of this data and the accident history at each intersection we calculated accident frequencies based on the number of cars crossing each intersection per year, then related some of our findings to both accident frequency and the immediate causes of reported accidents. An analysis of the data suggested that the following were potentially contributory to intersection accidents: * Two percent of the drivers run the stop signs and about 50% of the drivers use a rolling rather than a full stop. * About 20% of drivers do not look both ways before crossing the Transitway. * Winter weather brings slippery roads and reduced visibility conditions. * The timing for bus actuated traffic lights may not be optimal. * Only five of the 32 sight distances met minimum guidelines. Our broad conclusion was that combinations of the above factors could well contribute to the accidents occurring at the Transitway intersections. Specific recommendations were made for addressing each of the above factors.
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    Human Factors for Transitway Safety Improvement: Final Report for Phase II
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 1998-11) Scallen, Stephen; Stackhouse, Stirling
    This report details human factors evaluations of a 3.1 mile dedicated bus route (buses and emergency vehicles) connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses of the University of Minnesota. The dedicated route (Transitway) contains eight intersections. Two intersections are controlled by signal lights activated by the approach of a bus and six intersections are controlled by STOP signs. The motivation for the study was the unexpected increase in the number of accidents when the route was transferred from city streets to the Transitway in March 1992. This human factors initiative was conducted as part of the Transitway Safety Project at the University of Minnesota. Research was conducted in two phases. The present report details Phase II research, a 1998 evaluation of the effectiveness of the safety improvements implemented in the Transitway, using the same measures as those used in Phase I, with the exception that bus driver evaluations were dropped from Phase II research.