Human Centered Systems Laboratories
Team Leader: Tom Granda (thomas.granda@fhwa.dot.gov)
Overview
The Human Centered Systems Laboratories support the testing and evaluation
of driver performance through the use of a wide range of testing facilities.
These laboratories perform ongoing research into a wide range of geometric,
traffic control device, and operational issues, as well as the effects of these
elements on drivers and pedestrians. The purpose of this research is the
continual improvement of highway safety.
All of FHWA's strategies for improving safety and enhancing operations
throughout the highway transportation system benefit from the appropriate
inclusion of user needs. In order to ensure that operational changes are
successful and safety is continually improved, it is critical that driver and
pedestrian capabilities be taken into consideration during roadway design,
construction, repair, and improvement. In the Intelligent Transportation Systems
(ITS) arena, human factors issues include the effects of in-vehicle information
devices on driver performance — too much display information, awkwardly placed
displays, or confusing instrumentation can increase driver stress and reduce
driver accuracy and effectiveness.
The Highway Sign Design and Research Facility enables researchers to present specific stimuli to participants in a highly controlled environment. Slide- and video-based signs are displayed on one side of a rear-projection screen, and a viewing and response area is located on the other side. The presentation of stimuli is computer controlled and can include paired comparison slide presentations to identify types of situations that are considered safety risks for drivers or pedestrians. The presentations also may contain "zoomed" images of signs for determining the distance at which the characters and symbols are recognizable by drivers in various environments, and carefully timed in-vehicle displays and out-of-the-window scenes for intelligent transportation system (ITS) investigations.
The Data Analysis Facility is used by scientists and engineers for the review and analysis of analog and digital imagery and data recorded during human centered systems research experiments. The facility uses customized video analysis software and high-end video capture and data recording devices. Included in the facility is an interactive driving simulator using a Microsoft® Windows®-based operating system with a desktop driving console and a computer monitor display. This part-task driving simulator can be programmed easily using the scenario definition language, making it possible to develop low cost interactive driving simulations.
The Field Research Vehicle, is an instrumented Saturn automobile serving as a self-contained laboratory that enables experimenters to transport their research to different locations. The onroad hardware data collection suite includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel that presents navigation information that is updated via a differential global positioning system satellite receiver located on the trunk of the automobile. Wide-angle mini cameras are located above the rear right and left wheel wells to track driver lane position and deviation. A dual braking system ensures participant safety. The system records multiple camera views of the roadway, acceleration, deceleration, speed, and steering wheel and pedal movement.
The Highway Driving Simulator (HDS) was upgraded recently. The new HDS contains a graphics cluster consisting of six PC based 3D graphics workstations capable of producing 80 million lit and textured triangles per second per workstation. The single projector has been replaced by 5 Barco 909 9” high-resolution (2048 X 1536 pixel) CRT projectors suspended from the ceiling using a trolley system that allow the projectors to be relocated for experiments requiring high visual acuity. This upgrade has resulted in a projected roadway environment with a 300-degree field of view. Additional benefits include improved simulation realism and immersion, higher visual resolution and a greater dynamic range.
This upgrade has greatly enhanced the capabiity of the HDS to serve FHWA research programs in highway safety and operations. Recent experiments and simulations conducted in the HDS have exploited these enhanced capabilities. Recent studies have included experiments on improved nighttime visibility on rural roads, and the simulation of a novel double diamond interchange.
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