Browsing by Subject "human factors"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Behavioral Measures for 48 Participants in Work-Zone Messaging Driving Simulation Study collected in 2016 at the University of Minnesota
    (2018-04-18) Craig, Curtis, M; Morris, Nichole L; nlmorris@umn.edu; Morris, Nichole, L; University of Minnesota HumanFIRST Lab
    This study explored the impact of in-vehicle messages to alert drivers to events within a simulated work zone. Participants used a partial motion-based driving simulator made by Realtime Technologies, Inc. Data variables include speed, speed deviation, lane standard deviation, and eye-tracking fixation counts. The data is provided here for reasons of transparency and verification.
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    The Impact of Weather Conditions and Infrastructure Design on the Mobility of People with Impaired Vision
    (2019-07) Achtemeier, Jacob
    Nineteen normally-sighted, low vision, and blind pedestrians provided self-reported effects of environmental, infrastructural, and social factors influencing outdoor mobility in the Minnesota’s Twin-Cities metropolitan area. Focus groups and interviews were conducted to gather data on challenges associated with year-round, independent outdoor navigation emphasizing winter pedestrian mobility. Study themes included weather pressures (e.g., precipitation, temperature), infrastructural/engineering features (e.g., street, sidewalk, intersection design and maintenance), and safety concerns related to motorists and obstacles. Results identify pedestrian hazard impacts on quality of life and behavioral adaptations visually-impaired pedestrians create to increase safety and efficiency during mobility. Conclusions prompt considerations for urban planners, engineers, community activists, and stakeholders concerning mobility issues for visually-impaired pedestrians. Recommendations are provided to promote equity and wellbeing in pedestrian mobility.
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    In-Vehicle Work Zone Messages
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2017-06) Craig, Curtis M.; Achtemeier, Jacob; Morris, Nichole L.; Tian, Disi; Patzer, Brady
    Work zones present an increased risk to drivers and the work crew. To mitigate these risks, this study investigated the potential effects of in-vehicle messages to communicate work zone events to the driver. The researchers conducted literature reviews on risks imposed by work zones, along with design guidelines for any in-vehicle messaging system. The researchers then conducted a work zone safety survey to illustrate driver attitudes in Minnesota toward work zones, along with smartphone use and in-vehicle messages through smartphones. The survey found that a significant number of drivers make use of smartphones in the automobile, and they placed these smartphones in various locations throughout the vehicle. The survey was followed by a driving simulation study that tested drivers in two different types of work zones. Participants drove through these work zones three times, each with different messaging interfaces to communicate hazardous events to the driver. The interfaces included a roadside, portable changeable message sign, a smartphone presenting only auditory messages, and a smartphone presenting audio-visual messages. There was better driving performance on key metrics including speed deviation and lane deviation for the in-vehicle message conditions relative to the roadside signs. Furthermore, drivers reported significantly less mental workload and better usability, work zone event recall, and eye gaze behavior for the in-vehicle conditions relative to the roadside sign condition.
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    Sound Localization Data of 29 Participants in Bicycle Alarm Development Study collected in 2018 at the University of Minnesota
    (2020-02-26) Morris, Nichole L; Craig, Curtis M; nlmorris@umn.edu; Morris, Nichole L; University of Minnesota HumanFIRST Lab
    This data file represents de-identified raw data from a sound localization experiment with 29 participants. Participants heard an experimental sound (Sound A.wav) or a car horn sound (vehicle045.wav) and had to indicate which direction of the sound. Also included are the sound files used in the study.
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    Usability of Automatic Speech Recognition Systems for Individuals with Speech Disorders: Past, Present, Future, and A Proposed Model
    (2019) Jefferson, Madeline
    People are using voice assistants (VAs) such as Siri & Alexa more than ever before. With 46% of U.S. adults using VAs, commercially available voice-activated technologies are becoming pervasive in our homes and beyond (Pew Research, 2017). VAs provide convenience, novelty, and unique solutions for the medical industry. But, some users may be left out of the conversation. People with speech disorders or atypical speech historically have found difficulty with using automatic speech recognition (ASR) technologies, the precursor to VAs. Usability testing for these systems has consistently shown that they are not easy to use for people with speech disorders. This investigation sought to perform a literature review of the existing research on the usability of commercially available ASRs for people with speech disorders to provide historical perspectives and to take an inventory of how this issue is being addressed today. A literature review was performed on the usability of commercially available ASRs for people with speech disorders and was divided into two stages: studies before the introduction of VAs and those that tested VAs themselves. Understanding where we have been and where we are now will also inform technical communication and usability professionals on what the future of ASRs may hold and how we can best address the needs of this audience. To do so, this paper proposes solutions for inclusive design in the voice assistant design space including a conceptual model for integrating specific techniques into commercially available VAs.