Since the beginning, UMTRI’s has approached transportation safety research utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. UMTRI maintains an organizational structure that reflects the many disciplines–mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, behavioral sciences, statistical analysis, public-policy analysis, and more–upon which our research is based.
“Transportation is a social, psychological, human phenomenon that demands far more exhaustive research than it has yet to receive. ” 1965, Dr. Harlan Hatcher, U-M President
The Engineering Systems Group of UMTRI (ESG) are research leaders in the areas of connected and automated vehicles, driver assistance systems, traffic control and modeling, cybersecurity of vehicles and infrastructure, vehicle-road interaction, road roughness profiling, and heavy vehicle suspensions and dynamics.
UMTRI’s Biosciences Group conducts research on the biomechanics of motor vehicle occupants as it relates to occupant injuries, crash protection, and occupant accommodation. Biosciences researchers use state-of-the-art laboratory testing facilities, computer modeling, and data analysis techniques to conduct a wide range of research.
The Center for the Management of Information for Safe and Sustainable Transportation (CMISST) With many years of combined experience in data analysis, CMISST researchers develop new techniques to combine and statistically analyze these disparate datasets to reveal new information. Results of CMISST analyses can allow us to better understand the factors that impact transportation safety and mobility, and identify the most effective crash and injury countermeasures.
The UMTRI Human Factors Group develops models of driver capabilities related to vision, perception, decision making, and psychomotor performance incorporating the effects of factors such as age, sex, fatigue, and alcohol. The group then uses knowledge of these capabilities to develop guidelines for well-designed vehicle components and driving environments.
The Behavioral Sciences Group works to enhance safe mobility for all ages by deepening our understanding of the social and behavioral issues important to transportation.
