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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
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OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER

Incorporating Impacts of Driver Distraction into Highway Design and Traffic Engineering-Phase 2

Project Information

Project ID:
FHWA-PROJ-20-0028
Project Abstract:

The objective of this research is to leverage the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) 2 naturalistic driving study (NDS) data to examine and quantify the impacts of driver distraction on perception-reaction time and deceleration rate, two key performance measures for highway design and traffic engineering. Existing guidance documents introduce a variety of assumptions as they relate to these measures.

Preliminary analyses of the NDS data show standard design assumptions may systemically over or underestimate these values, impacting critical design controls such as stopping sight distance and yellow change interval. Much of the extant literature on which existing guidelines are based relies upon laboratory and closed course studies and the most recent update to existing methods was developed more than twenty years ago. Since then, substantive changes have occurred with respect to the vehicle fleet, driver behavior, and other factors that impact driving behavior. NDS data allow for investigation of driving behaviors under a wide range of driving environments.

This study will examine perception-reaction time and deceleration rate under several contexts, such as freeways, two-lane highways, and signalized intersections. This project will also leverage detailed information on driver distractions, including the frequency and duration of distractions.

Project Status:
Active
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$344,988.00
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
Yes
Laboratory:
Grant/Contract ID:
  • 693JJ320F000096
FHWA Program Area:
  • Safety
Fiscal Year / AMRP Program / AMRP Activity:
  • FY 2002-2022 / Safety / Safety Data and Analysis
FHWA Activity:
  • Naturalistic Driving Study Pooled Fund

AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan

Contact Information

First Name:
Charles
Last Name:
Fay
Phone Number:
(202) 493-3336
Email Address:
charles.fay@dot.gov
Team:
Safety Data and Analysis Team
Office:
Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Office Code:
HRSO-20

Management Organizations

Sponsor Organization

Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development and Technology - Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development

Performing Organization

Organization Role:
Performing Organization
Organization:
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.