Researchers from the Michigan Technological University Department of Civil, Environmental and Geospatial Engineering are looking for volunteers to take part in a research study. The study will test a new connected vehicle warning system at highway-rail grade crossings. 

Research participants will be asked to drive a Michigan Tech research vehicle through a predefined course on existing public roads in and around the Escanaba area.  Additional research activities include a short pre-drive demographic survey, a follow up post-drive survey, and a post-drive interview with a research team member to collect additional information on participant driving experiences. We expect the research activities (driving course, surveys, interview) to take about an hour. Participant screening and the consent process may take an additional hour for a total time commitment of about 2 hours.

Participants will drive a Chevy Volt equipped with a suite of sensors that will record vehicle speed, acceleration, brake, and throttle positions during the drive.  The recording suite will also include a forward facing camera to record the vehicle position on the roadway and a camera mounted inside the car to record the participants face and reactions to the driving environment and the warning system installed in the car.

The warning system under test uses a transmitting unit connected to a railroad crossing signal to alert a receiving unit in the car of two conditions. The first is when the car is approaching a railroad crossing with active warning devices. The second warning is if a train is approaching the crossing at the same time.  The warning system will provide both an audio and visual warning, located inside the vehicle, to the driver for when either conditions are met.

In order to participate in this study, you must meet the following criteria:

·        Hold a valid U.S. driver’s license authorizing you to drive a vehicle in the state of Michigan

·        Be 18 years of age or older

·        Been driving for at least 2 years

·        Have no traffic violations in the past 6 months

·        Not currently taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, or recreational drugs that could impact your ability to safely drive a car

Potential participants who do not wish to supply researchers details to confirm eligibility criteria will not be able to participate.

Participants who complete all research activities (driving course, pre-and post-surveys, and interview) will be compensated $20 cash for their time. 

If interested contact Tauseef Ibne Mamun, tmamun@mtu.edu