Human Factors in Transportation

Evaluating New Designs

SAIC scientists are working to improve the safety and efficiency of the transportation system by evaluating the efficacy of new designs through interviews, focus groups, and detailed simulations using representative human subjects.

Assessing traveler information using in-vehicle navigation displays, ensuring that variable message signs can be read and understood, and exploring driver behavior and performance are critical components currently being explored by SAIC's human factors professionals. This is important because it has been estimated that between 60 and 90% of crashes are caused by human error. Using a number of different methods such as simulators, field research vehicles, and laboratory and field experiments we are using our knowledge to improve driver safety and mobility.

Investigating Driver Performance

Using human factors principles, our team has been investigating driver performance in a number of different scenarios to assess the impacts of various sign designs to guide drivers through roundabouts and determine how varying levels of highway lighting and illumination to help determine threshold levels for safe navigation of curves at night. Distraction, a major issue in driving performance has also been investigated - we are currently assessing the degree of distraction that digital billboards may pose for drivers.

Assessing Intelligent Transportation Systems Deployments

In addition, our activities also include evaluations of intelligent transportation systems which have been deployed around the country. These have included regional travel planning services, work zone traveler information systems, pedestrian facilities, and advanced transit parking management systems. We have worked both domestically and internationally to promote best practices for intelligent transportation system evaluation, and are on the leading edge of developing new techniques for independent assessments, outreach, and transition strategies.