Exponent Awarded 5-Year NHTSA Human Factors Research Contract

Research topics include driver distraction, human-machine interfaces, driving automation systems, driver monitoring systems, vulnerable road users, and accessibility

Exponent has been awarded a five-year contract by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct human factors research into driver behavior, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), automotive interfaces, accessibility, and more.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to work with NHTSA to research some of the most pressing issues facing drivers and the automotive world today," said John Campbell, a principal scientist in Exponent's Human Factors practice. "Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are found in most late-model U.S. vehicles, and drivers have access to more entertainment technology in cars than ever. It's crucial for the safety of everyone on the road that we have a better understanding of how people use and interact with those technologies."

Specifically, Exponent and research partners - including the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), Touchstone Evaluations Inc., Leidos, Susan Chrysler LLC, and SAE International - will have the opportunity to study a range of automotive human factors topics, including on-road decision-making, risk-taking behavior, driver impairment, novice and older drivers, driver cognition and perception, vision and visibility, ergonomics, equitable access to safe transportation, and vehicle component placement.