Human Factors
James R. Sayer
Research Scientist
Huizhong Guo
Assistant Research Scientist
Paul A. Green
Research Professor
Michael J. Flannagan
Research Associate Professor, Emeritus
Robert C. Hampshire
Research Associate Professor
Shan Bao
Research Associate Professor
Asma Alhumaidi Almutari
Research Scientist
John M. Sullivan
Associate Research Scientist
Wenbo Sun
Assistant Research Scientist
Tayo Fabusuyi
Associate Research Scientist
Andrew Donaldson
Lead Engineer in Research
Dan Parker
Mechanical Technician Intermediate
The Human Factors team investigates how drivers interact with vehicles and their environment.
Their work is guided by the belief that well-designed vehicles and roadways can make driving safer, easier, and more efficient. To this end, the team focuses on understanding drivers’ capabilities and limitations. They develop models that capture key aspects such as vision, perception, decision-making, and psychomotor performance, taking into account factors like age, sex, fatigue, and alcohol use. This knowledge is then applied to create guidelines for designing vehicle components and driving environments that better support driver needs and promote safety.
By understanding human capabilities and limitations, Human Factors professionals aim to minimize errors, improve performance, and enhance overall well-being when interacting with technology and various systems. This ultimately leads to better user experiences, increased productivity, and reduced risks in various settings.
Paul A. Green, PhD, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute