RESEARCH PORTFOLIO

Epidemiologic Investigation of Child Restraint Installation Position and Serious Injury among Children in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Principal Investigator: Rachel Myers, PhD

The goal of this study is to create a unique source of epidemiologic crash data that enables novel description of use and installation patterns of child restraints among crash-involved children and— following linkage with hospital discharge and death certificate data—novel description of child occupant injury outcomes based on restraint use and installation (rear- vs. forward-facing).

2023-2024

Identifying Key Eye-Tracking Metrics Associated with Cognitive Control While Driving, Validated by MEG Neuroimaging: Phase III

Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Recent developments in eye-tracking and neuroimaging techniques are paving the way for novel approaches to understanding cognitive workload and cognitive errors during driving. Building on prior “MEG + Driving + Eye-Tracking” work, this study aims to (1) identify eye-tracking metrics that proxy increased cognitive control in a new cognitively challenging unanticipated steering task and (2) compare these eye-tracking metrics and frontal lobe…

Identifying Key Eye-Tracking Metrics Associated with Cognitive Control While Driving, Validated by MEG Neuroimaging: Phase III

Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Walshe, PhD

Identifying the Relationship Between Scanning and Executive Functions Among Young Drivers

Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

One aspect of driving that is both critical for crash avoidance and influenced by executive function is scanning, or the pattern of eye glances used to detect hazards. Previous research has shown that drivers with poor executive function are less likely to detect road hazards; however, these studies do not identify the underlying scanning patterns contributing to this poor hazard detection.

2022-2023

Identifying Key Eye-Tracking Metrics Associated with Cognitive Control While Driving, Validated by MEG Neuroimaging (Year 2): Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

This study builds upon prior CChIPS work investigating cognition-based driving errors and seeks to identify eye tracking metrics associated with frontal lobe cognitive responses during a lead car following task.

2019-2020

In-Depth Analysis of Crash Causation Factors Using SHRP2 (Multiple Year Project): Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Utilizing data from the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) Naturalistic Driving Study, this study will quantify the behavioral, environmental, and experiential factors contributing to rear-end striking crashes among teen, young adult, and older drivers. The long-term objective is to inform the development of driver-specific Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that account for the unique errors exhibited by these risky driving groups.

2018-2019

In-Depth Analysis of Crash Causation Factors Using SHRP2 (Multiple Year Project): Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Utilizing data from the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) Naturalistic Driving Study, this study will quantify the behavioral, environmental, and experiential factors contributing to rear-end striking crashes among teen, young adult, and older drivers. The long-term objective is to inform the development of driver-specific Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that account for the unique errors exhibited by these risky driving groups.

2017-2018

Efficacy of Automatic Emergency Braking During SHRP2 Rear-end Crashes: Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Among motor vehicle crashes, rear-ends are the most common form of crash, particularly among novice teen drivers. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) has the potential to prevent or reduce the severity of these rear-end crashes. The SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the potential efficacy of AEB on real-world crash scenarios. This project aims to recreate SHRP2 scenarios with the presence of AEB to determine if the…

2016-2017

Maturation of Driving Skill from Teen to Young Adult to Experienced Adult using SHRP2 Naturalistic Data: Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Young adult drivers should exhibit improved driving behavior compared to teen drivers due to increased driving experience. However, previous naturalistic driving data suggests otherwise. This study will identify the specific predictors of crashes and near crashes among young drivers and determine if these predictors vary across age and skill level. The specific aims are to 1) categorize and quantify the factors contributing to young adult crashes and…
Active Safety Technology and Teen Drivers: Impressions, Perceived Need, and Intervention Preferences: Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Recently developed advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have the potential to compensate for skill deficits and reduce overall crash risk. Yet, ADAS is only effective if drivers are willing to use it. Limited research has been conducted on the suitability of ADAS for teen drivers. The goal of this study is to use qualitative research methodology identify teen drivers' perceived need for ADAS, receptiveness to in-vehicle technology, and…

2014-2015

Dynamic Comparison of Large Omni-directional Child ATD to Pediatric Volunteers: Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injury for children worldwide. Mitigation of these injuries requires the use of biofidelic anthropomorphic test devices (ATD) to properly design and evaluate motor vehicle safety systems. Traditionally, pediatric ATDs have been benchmarked against response corridors that have been scaled from adult biomechanical data, and often these scaling efforts were hindered by a lack of appropriate…

2013-2014

Dynamic Comparison of Pediatric and the Small Female ATDs to Size-matched Pediatric Volunteers (Multiple Year Project): Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

The goal of this research is to quantify the dynamic differences between pediatric and 5th percentile female ATDs and matched pediatric volunteers in low-speed lateral and oblique crashes and apply that knowledge towards improved ATD biofidelity requirements. Through synthesis of existing data and collection of new data, this project builds on several previous and current projects at the Center.

2012-2013

Dynamic Comparison of Pediatric and the Small Female ATDs to Size-matched Pediatric Volunteers (Multiple Year Project): Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

The goal of this research is to quantify the dynamic differences between pediatric and 5th percentile female ATDs and matched pediatric volunteers in low-speed lateral and oblique crashes and apply that knowledge towards improved ATD biofidelity requirements. Through synthesis of existing data and collection of new data, this project builds on several previous and current projects at the Center.

2011-2012

Dynamic Comparison of Pediatric and the 5th Percentile Female Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs): Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

The specific aim is to quantify the kinematics of the head, cervical, and thoracic spine as well as the kinetics of the upper neck of the Q-Series 6-year-old, Q-Series 10-year-old, Hybrid III 10-year-old, and the 5th percentile female ATDs and compare them to age- and size-matched pediatric volunteers.