ADAPS

Welcome to the Aging Driver and Pedestrian Safety project, a series of Human Factors studies on transportation systems. This series of studies is designed to help aid the Florida Department of Transportation in its effort of maintaining safe roadways by providing research and insight into the regulation and policy decisions made by the department.

This study is lead by Dr. Neil Charness of the FSU Psychology Department and is partnered with Gail Holley of the Florida Department of Transportation. This current research project is the second in the partnership of the Psychology Department and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Over the next 21 months, the ADAPS project wil seek to answer six research questions to help with policy formation. The first question will address the large overhead variable message signs seen over highways. Specifically, we will be looking into Silver and Amber alerts for these signs, called DMS or Dynamic Message Signs. Additionally, we will be looking at their smaller counterpart the PCMS sign, or the Portable Changeable Message Sign, those smaller variable message signs often found on the side of the road near construction sites.

The second question will seek to answer whether or not high beam headlights have an advantage or disadvantage when paired with high intensity fluorescent signs. A previous study we completed showed that a difference existed, however, we did not subject high and lo headlight beams to the riggers of the scientific process through manipulation. In this study, we will specific test this.

The third question will be examining the usage of pedestal traffic signals for increased awareness within intersections. The awareness being increased will be for those making turns either left or right. These signals will be in supplement of the overhead traffic signals already in place in the majority of intersections.

The fourth question will investigate the differences between internally illuminated street signs and their analog counterparts that are only reflective, both of which are found in major intersections.

The fifth question will address pedestrian crosswalk buttons. There are various types of these buttons, and we will be studying two types in particular. Those with confirmation, such as a noise, light, or tactile feedback, and those without such confirmation.

The sixth and final question will address a recent quandary; the difference between an 18" letter on a DMS sign and a 16.8" letter that has a light bloom of 18". Our search will investigate the perceptual differences as seen by the users, and if any preferences exist towards either letter size.

If you would like to participate in any of these studies please email us at fdot@psy.fsu.edu.