Driving & Traffic Safety Projects

Driving is a behavior that almost everyone has engaged in at least once.  For many, it is an everyday behavior.  Reports show that 90% of Americans use driving as their primary mean of transportation.  Of that 90%, a reported average of over 80 minutes will be spent behind the wheel daily.  With such a majority spending that amount of time in automobiles, and on roadways with others (drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists), a relatively small amount of resources are spent on researching our behaviors while in our cars and on America’s roadways.  

The Applied Science Lab and the Department of Psychology here at Western Michigan University strives to stay involved in several research projects in a range of driving and traffic safety areas.  Of main concern is the development of new and the dissemination of existing technology to increase safety for all travelers.  The science of Behavior Analysis is used to provide behaviors that produce safer commutes to and from work, or leisurely strolls for all.  Other approaches include the alteration of the physical environment to be more conducive to keeping us safe. 

With help from the Department of Psychology and the Behavior Analysis Program, the Applied Science Lab has constructed and installed a fully functioning automobile driving simulator.  The simulator will be used to conduct a variety of cutting-edge research programs that would otherwise be impractical or improbable in real-world scenarios.  However, other areas will be addressed in their actual environments.  These areas include the manipulation of the physical and performing features of the inside and outside of automobiles.  Alterations to roadway surfaces and street signage will also be employed. 

Simulator Information

Software: SISTM Drive

Hardware: Dell Dimension PC

OS: Windows XP SP2

Visual Display: 50 Inch HD Projection Screen

Wheel: MS SIdewinder Custom 

Pedals: MS SIdewinder 

Info: For further information or  inquiries about collaboration please contact us.

Current Projects

Effects of Driver Speed on Yielding Right-of-Way

Distracted Driving and driving performance