Code 3: The impact of in-vehicle technologies on performance and distraction of first responders
Workshop at TRB 2015 (see announcement in TRB program)
Topic overview
First responders must often use multiple in-vehicle devices, sometimes simultaneously, to complete their jobs, while also operating a vehicle under challenging road and traffic conditions and time stress. This workshop will explore how the (potentially interleaved) interactions with these devices can be assessed and improved, in order to support satisfactory performance on both the driving and in-vehicle tasks, while reducing cognitive workload.
Organizers
Andrew Kun, University of New Hampshire
Jerry Wachtel, Veridian Group, Inc.
Program
The workshop will feature the following five brief presentations which will serve as starting points for discussion by all participants.
Characterization of work related collisions in a sample of emergency drivers: a Quebec’s province study
Martin Lavallière, MIT AgeLab
Abstract: First responders are exposed to various types of driving environments and situations. A recent study showed that even though work related collisions represent only 2% of compensated work injuries, about 30% of compensated accidental fatalities at work are related to these collisions. Moreover, motor vehicle collisions involving emergency vehicles seem to have specific characteristics that could be used to identify interventions (i.e. new technologies and/or specific training) for prevention such collisions.
Bio: Martin Lavallière is a postdoctoral Research Associate at the MIT AgeLab. He received his Ph.D. in kinesiology from Université Laval (Québec, Canada). His doctoral work focused on evaluating whether a simulator-based training program combined with driving specific feedback could improve on-road driving behaviors in older drivers. He also evaluated the impact of similar training with people who suffered from traumatic brain injury. His current research focuses on the impact on driving performance of aging, navigation and communication technologies and active safety system in vehicles.
Oh Say Can You See … or Talk … or Touch?
Major David J. Mulholland, US Park Police
Abstract: Interacting with data systems is mission critical in the public safety environment. Situational awareness tools and software, interaction with criminal databases and computer aided dispatch, and rapid growth of support tools such as in-car video and automated license plate readers, all serve to enhance the officer’s ability to keep our communities safer.
But these systems also present traffic safety challenges of their own. It is a given that despite restrictions on use of these systems may be while in motion, they will still be used by the officer. Mitigating these distractions through visual, auditory, and tactile solutions is a key to finding the proper balance.
Bio: Major David (Dave) J. Mulholland is Commander, Technical Services, for the US Park Police, and Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Police Technology Subcommittee and the IJIS Institute/APCO Emergency Communications Task Force. He is a former senior advisor to the Law Enforcement Information Technology Standards Council, and a senior public safety technology advisor/consultant for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
The Missing Mode
Dia Gainor, NASEMSO
Abstract: The Transportation Safety Advancement Group (TSAG) serves as a resource to the ITS JPO on the intersection between public safety and technology. TSAG has sponsored several projects exploring issues related to the unique characteristics and operations of EMS, police, fire, and highway response. This portion of the workshop will focus on the magnitude of the crash problem in the emergency response vehicle community and an overview of progress in recently completed projects related to on board device distractions.
Bio: Dia Gainor is Executive Director of NASEMSO – the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials. She previously served as the Bureau Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the State of Idaho. She has 12 years of field experience as a paramedic and firefighter. Dia was appointed by the Administrator of NHTSA to be the first Chair of DOT’s National EMS Advisory Council.
Project54: Design and Deployment of a Modular System with a Multimodal Interface for Device Control and Data Communications in Police Vehicles
Thomas Miller, University of New Hampshire
Abstract: The Project54 mobile system for law enforcement integrated the control of disparate law enforcement devices such as radar, VHF radio, video, and emergency lights and siren. In addition it provided access to state and national law enforcement databases via wireless data queries. This presentation will give an overview of Project54 and will discuss program experiences, both positive and negative, in the design and deployment of advanced computer interfaces for the public safety environment.
Bio: Thomas Miller is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of New Hampshire. In 1999, Dr. Miller co-founded the Project54 program. This 12 year collaborative effort, involving the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Department of Safety and supported by the USDOJ/NIJ, focused on developing an open, standards-based, integrated platform for mobile computing and data communications for public safety vehicles. During the program, Project54 technology was deployed in over 1000 police cruisers operated by 160 state and local police agencies in New Hampshire.
Distractions on Patrol
Brett Vinciguerra, Motorola Solutions
Abstract: First responders are bombarded with complex controls and information while on patrol. Emergency vehicles are loaded with gear that demands attention. This presentation will take a look inside emergency vehicles in the US. An overview will be provided of the devices, user interfaces and distractions that are part of the job when a first responder is on patrol.
Bio: Brett Vinciguerra is a “Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff” of Motorola Solutions. For 15 years, he has been researching, developing and deploying emergency vehicle control systems. He is currently working on next generation public safety solutions at Motorola