Browsing by Subject "Human factors"

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Autonomous Vehicle Guidance Evaluation
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1995-03) Shankwitz, Craig; Donath, Max
This report provides an overview of autonomous vehicle technology, specifically focusing on sensing and control technologies. It resulted from safety issues at the Mn/ROAD high-load, low-volume pavement test facility. Appropriate technology helps ensure the safety of the truck driver that provides loads to the pavement and the safety of traffic on 1-94. Researchers currently are working to provide a semi tractor capable of driver-supervised autonomous operation at the Mn/ROAD facility. Such a driver-supervised system will allow the truck driver to monitor the operation of the automatic control system actively guiding the truck and will allow the driver to take control from the control computer when desired.
Computerized Crash Reports Usability and Design Investigation
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2016-06) Morris, Nichole L.; Achtemeier, Jacob D.; Ton, Alice; Plummer, John Paul; Sykes, Jennifer
Electronic crash reports are advantageous because they can limit missing data, transcription errors, and the space limitations of a single sheet of paper. Advancing electronic reports through user-centered design affords an opportunity to improve law enforcement officer’s (LEOs) ability to accurately, timely, and efficiently document crashes. Minnesota’s commencement of a new crash records database offered a unique opportunity for a redesign of its electronic crash report to best support LEOs. A well-designed electronic report will not only support LEOs in the line of duty but will also lead to more useful, complete, and accurate data for various state and federal agencies for analysis and policy decision making. The objectives of this project were to: 1) improve crash data reliability and validity, 2) develop a framework crash report interface based on human factors principles and usability requirements, and 3) reduce the mental workload and required steps for users. Project tasks included: heuristic and hierarchical task analysis, cognitive walkthroughs, validity and reliability testing, interviews, beta testing, and usability testing. The human factors principles and user-centric approach lead the iterative design process to produce a product with high levels of usability and intuitiveness. The project featured a cooperative approach among university researchers, state agencies, and a private developer to ensure that the knowledge, design, and results of the research effort was fully transferred into the final product. The resulting interfaces preliminarily suggest improved user satisfaction, along with data completeness and accuracy, and provide a resource for replication in multiple domains.
Detecting Driver Fatigue Through the Use of Advanced Face Monitoring Techniques
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2001-09-01) Veeraraghavan, Harini; Papanikolopoulos, Nikolaos P.
Driver fatigue is an important factor in many vehicular accidents. Reducing the number of fatigue-related accidents would save society a significant amount financially, in addition to reducing personal suffering. The researchers developed a driver fatigue monitoring system that uses a camera (or cameras) to detect indications of driver fatigue. The mechanism detects and tracks the eyes of the driver based on human skin color properties, along with templates that monitor how long the eyes are open or closed. Tests of the approach were run on 20 human subjects in a simulated environment (the driving simulator at the Human Factors Research Laboratory) in order to find its potential and its limitations. This report describes the findings from these experiments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Human Factors Issues In Traffic Signing
(1994-08) Hancock, Peter A.
This work reports results of an experimental program on human factors issues in traffic signing. The first task examines the problems associated with the programming of signs for evaluation of driver response in simulation. It is concluded that growing technical tools permit traffic engineers to test proposed signage, and avenues of implementation are given. The second task examines driver response in simulation to multiple real-world signs. It is concluded that while much effort is given to distinguishing the utility of individual signs, multiple signs in combination produce more complex decrements. Recommendations are made as to maximum sign density. The final task provides an assessment of signage in future IVHS driving environments. It points to the role of signage as one component of communication. A list of issues for future signage implementation is given for consideration as the Department moves to provide safe and efficient transport for the people of Minnesota into the 21st century.
Investigating the Effects of Roadway Design on Driver Behavior: Applications for Minnesota Highway Design
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 1999-02) Scallen, Stephen; Carmody, John
This report details a project to study the relationship between highway design and human behavior as influenced by roadside environments. In a visualization phase, computer simulation modeled an actual segment of urban highway planned for reconstruction in Tofte, MN Using a driving simulator, project design team members test drove the highway reconstruction project and evaluated the planned elements. In an experimentation phase, researchers tested drivers' responses to different design scenarios to identify the architectural and aesthetic elements with the greatest potential for calming or slowing traffic. Results indicated that the visualization phase increased communication among project team members and state agencies, facilitated problem Identification-resolution strategy development, and contributed to decision-making concerning potential design options and design elements. Data also indicated that white pavement treatments produced desirable traffic calming effects. Analyses of drivers' speed patterns indicated a consistent speed profile, characterized by both decreases and increases in speed. The report concludes with recommendations for the expanded use of visualization in general and the implementation of white pavement treatments in the target reconstruction project specifically. It also recommends further consideration of landscape architecture treatments.
Macroscopic Review of Driver Gap Acceptance and Rejection Behavior at Rural Thru-Stop Intersections in the US - Data Collection Results in Eight States: CICAS-SSA Report #3
(2010-08) Gorjestani, Alec; Menon, Arvind; Cheng, Pi-Ming; Newstrom, Bryan; Shankwitz, Craig; Donath, Max
Crashes at rural thru-stop intersections arise primarily from a driver attempting to cross or enter the mainline traffic stream after failing to recognize an unsafe gap condition. Because the primary cause of these crashes is not failure to stop, but failure to recognize an unsafe condition, the US DOT FHWA, MnDOT, and the University of Minnesota ITS Institute undertook the CICAS-SSA program. CICAS-SSA uses roadside radar sensors, a computer processor and algorithms to determine unsafe conditions, and an active LED icon based sign to provide timely alerts and warnings which are designed to reduce the frequency of crashes at rural expressway intersections. These rural, thru-stop crashes are problems in many states. In conjunction with the CICAS-SSA program, MnDOT and the University of Minnesota led a nine-state (CA, GA, IA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, and WI) pooledfund study whereby driver behavior data at rural thru-stop intersections was collected by the Minnesota Mobile Intersection Surveillance System (MMISS). The ultimate goal of the pooled fund study and the analysis of that data described here, was to identify whether drivers in different regions of the county exhibit different gap acceptance/rejection behavior, and if different driver behaviors are identified, determine whether they are different enough to inhibit the deployment of a common CICAS-SSA design throughout the US. The analysis of the data indicated that the system can indeed be deployed nationally.
Minnesota Crash Records Audit
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2020-08) Morris, Nichole L.; Libby, David A.; Peterson, Colleen; Ryan, Andrew; Sheppard, McKenzie
In 2016, Minnesota deployed a state-of-the-art electronic crash reporting system to all law enforcement officers across the state. The updated crash report was created with the officer in mind through an extensive usability and design project led by HumanFIRST. Preliminary testing of the new system suggested high user satisfaction but could not determine the extent of the crash data improvement. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to conduct a series of qualitative analyses of the crash data records collected by the legacy crash reporting system and the new MNCrash reporting system. The first analysis compared 360 serious injury and fatal crash reports from 2015 and 2016 and found a year-to-year decrease in mismatching data but a slight increase in missing data. However, overall, the MNCrash system increased the number of data queries, so data access was increased in 2016. The second analysis of serious and fatal injury crashes compared 996 reports sampled from 2015 and 1,572 reports sampled from 2016. The analysis showed a decrease in missing data and a decrease in erroneous data entry in 2016. Finally, the converted 2015 legacy data was analyzed to reveal few errors in the MNCrash conversion process.
Minnesota Intelligent Driving Environment Research (MINDER) Program
(1994-08) Hancock, Peter A.
The purpose of the MINDER program is to create the common simulation resource for human factors and safety researchers in respect to Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) programs. To accomplish this, we have created a simulation capability to re-create part of the I-35W Metropolitan area corridor from the Cross-town commons to just south of downtown Minneapolis. Our purpose in creating this was to allow researchers on different programs to use a common simulation environment. This was the first element of MINDER which was proposed as a larger program to include other segments of the freeway systems of the Twin City Metropolitan region. This corridor is extensively instrumented for traffic flow simulation and control. Successful development and validation of such a simulation environment has allowed a number of particular advantages. It represents, to our knowledge, the first interactively simulated portion of specific urban freeway on any high fidelity simulator. It allows parallel testing of simulation versus actual driving conditions. It is capable of integration with a number of ongoing Mn/DOT, university, and commercial research projects. It provides a human factors testing facility that exceeds most capabilities that currently exist world-wide.
Minnesota MNCrash Design and Training Research Development
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2020-09) Morris, Nichole L.; Schwieters, Katelyn R.; Craig, Curtis M.
This report includes research activities that focused on the MNCrash interface design and training. A series of usability tests was conducted on the existing MNCrash interface system to document errors, frustrations, or confusion points that could be improved through iterative design and training. Usability testing with MNCrash users revealed that the majority of problems were related to detail and efficiency. Next, design recommendations were developed based on a set of criteria to reduce error and user frustration and to improve efficiency and user satisfaction. The outcome resulted in the implementation of several design change recommendations with a focus on addressing more accurate and complete data. To follow, a decision aid prototype was developed to determine if there were measurable effects of increasing accuracy of injury severity reporting for law enforcement participants. The prototype received high-level support, produced good usability, and increased accuracy in injury severity reporting. Finally, to complement the interface design recommendations, a training was developed to address knowledge gaps and improve accuracy in crash data reporting for law enforcement officers. The training was created on Rise360, an e-learning platform. Several iterations and user testing with law enforcement participants and crash reporting experts resulted in a final training design that consisted of an introductory module, eight core modules, eight quizzes, and a concluding module. The training produced good usability and user satisfaction recommended for implementation.
Rural Intersection Conflict Warning System Evaluation and Design Investigation
(Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2018-05) Tian, Disi; Morris, Nichole L.; Libby, David A.
The Rural Intersection Collision Warning System (i.e., RICWS) has been deployed across the state of Minnesota to provide real-time traffic information to motorists to assist them with identifying sufficient vehicle gaps at thru-STOP intersections. However, since its implementation, a number of complaints have been received from local road users in regard to the signs. To identify the human factors issues with the current RICWS sign and to propose safe and efficient alternatives to its use, multiple rounds of usability tests were conducted with Minnesota county engineers and local road users to assist iterative design modifications as well as evaluate the effectives of each sign’s ability to accurately convey information regarding each of its three states. Three alternative design options were developed and tested along with the original RICWS sign via a driving simulator. A total of 120 participants, including novice teenage drivers (16-18 years old), middle-aged drivers (35-50 years old) and older drivers (65-77 years old), were recruited and were then asked to drive through a sequence of rural thru-STOP controlled intersections, with and without the intervention. The objectives were to evaluate the safety effectiveness and efficiency of different RICWS sign options to promote safe gap acceptance at different types of rural intersections (i.e., varying levels of mainstream traffic volume and intersection visibility). The research findings revealed an overall safety benefit of the intervention; however, potential risks were also identified associated with its deployment. It was also observed that drivers’ perceptions did not all match their actual driving behaviors.
Sign Comprehension, Considering Rotation and Location, Using Random Gap Simulation for a Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance System – Stop Sign Assist: CICAS-SSA Report #4
(2010-08) Creaser, Janet; Manser, Michael; Rakauskas, Michael; Donath, Max
Crashes at rural thru-stop intersections arise primarily from a driver attempting to cross or enter the mainline traffic stream after failing to recognize an unsafe gap condition. Because the primary cause of these crashes is not failure to stop, but failure to recognize an unsafe condition, the US DOT FHWA, MnDOT, and the University of Minnesota ITS Institute undertook the CICAS-SSA program. CICAS-SSA uses roadside radar sensors, a computer processor and algorithms to determine unsafe conditions, and an active LED icon based sign to provide timely alerts and warnings which are designed to reduce the frequency of crashes at rural expressway intersections. The primary goal of this portion of the overall effort was to evaluate several candidate CICAS-SSA concepts in order to identify a single sign that may provide the greatest utility in terms of driver performance and usability at a real-world rural intersection. A secondary goal of the work was to determine the ideal physical characteristics (i.e., location and rotation of a sign relative to drivers) of the candidate CICAS-SSA at a test intersection to maximize comprehension (and subsequent use) of the sign. This report summarizes the results of the work.
Simulated driver performance, error, and acceptance study of a J-turn intersection with 3 levels of signage
(2024-01-08) Morris, Nichole L; Schwieters, Katelyn R; Tian, Disi; Craig, Curtis M; nlmorris@umn.edu; Morris, Nichole L; University of Minnesota HumanFIRST Lab
Thirty-six participants with limited previous experience and knowledge of J-turn intersections participated in a simulation study to examine their acceptance of J-turns and left turning navigational performance at three simulated J-turn intersections in counterbalanced order, each featuring one of three signage levels (minimum, intermediate, and full). Participants navigational path was visualized and scored for error occurrence by 3 raters/coders. Eleven different error types occurred and they were classified as minor, moderate, or major severity errors. Participants provided demographic information, crash history, and acceptance of J-turn intersections (across three scales) before and after driving through the simulated J-turn intersections. The data has been deidentified and is available to provide a better understanding of common errors from drivers who are experiencing J-turn intersections for the first time and the resultant influence that their error experiences have on their acceptance of the novel intersection design.
Trace Driven Driving Simulation: Towards Integration of External Lab with Simulator and the Integrated Study of Microscopic and Macroscopic Problems in IVHS: Emulation of the I-394 External Laboratory in a Driving Environment
(1994-06) Shekhar, Shashi; Hancock, Peter A.
The research in traffic flow and safety has proceeded on two different tracks. The traffic flow research has focused on macroscopic aspects and aggregate behavior, while safety research has focused on the traveller's microscopic view of the transportation system. This dichotomy of research methodology has made it difficult to study many issues in intelligent vehicle highway systems in an integrated manner. In this project, we explore ways of facilitating research on problems which require integration of the two views of the transportation systems. In particular, we explore headup displays for conveying aggregate traffic information and exceptions to the drivers. We evaluate text based and graphic map based displays with fixed orientation as well as egocentric orientation. Our studies indicate that graphic displays are more effective than text based displays for the assimilation of information by drivers. Furthermore, our studies suggest that an egocentric map display allows drivers to assimilate and process information faster than a fixed orientation display.
User-centered Smart Traffic Sign Development Study
(Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2023-06) Morris, Nichole L.; Rajamani, Rajesh; Drahos, Bradley A.; Xie, Zhenming; Alexander, Lee; Kessler, William
Flaggers protect workers by providing temporary traffic control and maintaining traffic flow through a work zone. They are often the first line of defense to stop distracted, inattentive, or aggressive motorists from intruding into the work area. This project aims to develop an automated intrusion detection system to alert drivers who are unsafely approaching or entering a flagger-controlled work zone. A human factors user needs assessment found maintenance workers preferred a modified traffic signal to feature the alert system due to flagger risks of being in the roadway and drivers failing to stop and remain stopped when presented with the STOP side of the flagger sign. A modified traffic signal that could be operated using a handheld remote was developed. The low-cost embedded electronics on the traffic signal enabled it to track trajectories of nearby vehicles, detect potential intrusions, and trigger audio-visual warnings to alert the intruding driver. Usability testing in a simulated driving test found poor expectancies and stopping rates of the traffic signal-based alarm system compared to a traditional flagger but did demonstrate evidence that drivers may be less likely to stop and remain stopped with the flagger STOP sign than the red ball indicator of the traffic signal. Furthermore, some drivers corrected their initial stopping error after triggering the auditory alarm of the traffic signal. A follow up test found improved performance with the alert system incorporated into an audiovisual enhanced STOP/SLOW flagger paddle. Testing of the developed sensor system found the system capable of simultaneous multivehicle tracking (including estimation of vehicle position, velocity, and heading) with a range of up to 60 meters and angular azimuth range of 120 degrees and correctly detecting all test intruding vehicles.
Validation Study – On-Road Evaluation of the Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance System – Stop Sign Assist Sign: CICAS-SSA Report #5
(2010-08) Rakauskas, Michael; Creaser, Janet; Manser, Michael; Graving, Justin; Donath, Max
The CICAS-SSA sign is a roadside driver support system that is intended to improve gap rejection at rural stopcontrolled intersections. The CICAS-SSA system tracks vehicle locations on a major roadway and then displays a message to a driver on the minor road via an active LED icon-based sign. The basis of this sign is a “Divided Highway” sign that is commonly presented in traffic environments. Overlaid on the roadways of the sign are yellow or red icons that represent approaching vehicles that are at a distance at which the driver on the minor road should proceed with caution or at a distance that is considered unsafe to enter the intersection. Previous research conducted in a driving simulation environment indicated potentially beneficial changes in driver decision-making relative to approaching vehicle gap sizes and indicated that drivers perceive the system as being both useful and satisfying. While simulation-based evaluations provide a wealth of useful information, their ability to replicate the full array of behavioral, cognitive, and perceptual elements of a driving environment do have some limitations. It is because of these limitations that it is useful to confirm simulation-based findings in a real-world environment. The primary goal of the current work was to evaluate the candidate CICAS-SSA sign in a real-world setting to confirm previously identified benefits and identify any unintended consequences of sign usage. This goal was accomplished through a validation field test performed at the intersection of US Highway 52 and County Road 9 in Southern Minnesota. The findings of the work are summarized in this report.

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