Lecture: When Operations Meets Human Factors
This event was previously scheduled for December 9
Professor Michael Knodler, UMass Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, will deliver the seventh and final lecture in the Fall 2005 Operations Research / Management Science Seminar series.
TITLE: When Operations Meets Human Factors: A Simulator-Based Driver Comprehension Analysis
ABSTRACT: Perhaps the most significant safety and operational element in signalized intersection operation is simultaneous movements which cross paths, specifically, left-turn movements. Protected/permissive left-turn (PPLT) signal phasing was a concept developed to improve operational efficiency at signalized intersections by providing a protected phase for left-turns as well as a permissive phase during which left-turns can be made if gaps in opposing through traffic allow. The recurring major issue with PPLT signal phasing, targeted by traffic engineers and drivers alike, is the permissive indication, which is a circular green (CG) signal indication. In short, the operational advantages of PPLT signal phasing cannot be realized unless drivers are able to comprehend the indication being presented. As a result of this concern, the CG permissive indication became the primary focus of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) project 3-54. After a series of studies the NCHRP research team concluded that a flashing yellow arrow (FYA) permissive indication provided a better alternative to the CG permissive indication.
This research describes the formulation of research hypotheses, associated with the potential implementation of the FYA permissive indication, and the use of assorted evaluation methodologies to provide quantitative and/or qualitative responses to the developed hypotheses. Specifically, driver comprehension and behavioral analyses were completed using myriad experimental procedures, which included the use of a fixed-base, fully-interactive, dynamic driving simulator and a computer-based static evaluation. In total, four simulator experiments, and 11 static evaluations were completed by a total of over 950 drivers and pedestrians evaluating over 11,600 permissive left-turn scenarios.
This series is organized by the UMass Amherst INFORMS Student Chapter. Support for this series is provided by the Isenberg School of Management, the Department of Finance and Operations Management, and the John F. Smith Memorial Fund.
Check here for more details about this speaker series.
