PacTrans News
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June 1, 2012
The Car of the Future: Do Drivers Know How to Adapt to New Technology?
Technological advances are changing the nature of driving. Many of these innovations are designed to increase driver safety by simplifying tasks and user demands in safety-critical situations. An effect that is not anticipated by system designers is that driver’s behavior may change, adapting in unforeseen ways that may either enhance or compromise the potential benefits of the system. This effect, identified by some researchers as behavioral adaptation, can have profound impacts on driving performance, system effectiveness, and overall safety. A system that is designed with the intended purpose of increasing or maintaining safety will fail if adaptation negates the intended outcome. This presentation discusses the observed safety impacts of several in-vehicle systems and what needs to be considered in terms of education, design, and policies for the car of the future.
Sponsored by: Research and Innovative Technology Administration, University Transportation Centers Program.
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May 24, 2012
PacTrans Launching Summit on May 24, 2012
On Thursday, May 24th, the PacTrans celebrated its grand opening with a Launching Summit at the Talaris Conference Center in Seattle. Representatives from each of the five partner universities and leaders of transportation agencies and private industry in the Pacific Northwest were present. Washington State Congressman Rick Larsen delivered a speech over the lunch hour. The event was intended to raise awareness about the new center, discuss the strategic directions of PacTrans, and to attract potential partners for transportation-related research.
