Human Factors Division
The Human Factors Division studies the interactions of the driver, the vehicle, and the environment. The underlying rationale for research in this division is that well-designed vehicles and driving environments make the driving task safer, easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. However, to achieve this end, we need to understand driver capabilities and limitations. Consequently, the Human Factors Division performs both basic and applied research.
On the basic side, the research is designed to develop models of driver capabilities in vision, perception, decision making, and psychomotor performance incorporating the effects of factors such as age, sex, fatigue, and alcohol. On the applied side, knowledge concerning these capabilities is being used to develop guidelines for well-designed vehicle components and driving environments.