In-Vehicle Dynamic Curve-Speed Warnings at High-Risk Rural Curves

Lane-departure crashes at horizontal curves represent a significant portion of fatal crashes on rural Minnesota roads. Because of this, solutions are needed to aid drivers in identifying upcoming curves and inform them of a safe speed at which they should navigate the curve. One method for achieving this that avoids costly infrastructure-based methods is to use in-vehicle technology to display dynamic curve-speed warnings to the driver. Such a system would consist of a device located in the vehicle capable of providing a visual and auditory warning to the driver when approaching a potentially hazardous curve at an unsafe speed. This project seeks to determine the feasibility of in-vehicle dynamic curve-speed warnings as deployed on a smartphone app. The system was designed to maximize safety and efficacy to ensure that system warnings are appropriate, timely, and non-distracting to the driver. The developed system was designed and implemented based on the results of a literature survey and a usability study. The developed system was evaluated by 24 Minnesota drivers in a controlled pilot study at the Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The results of the pilot study showed that, overall, the pilot study participants liked the system and found it useful. Analysis of quantitative driver behavior metrics showed that when receiving appropriately placed warnings, drivers navigated horizontal curves 8-10% slower than when not using the system. These findings show that such a curve-speed warning system would be useful, effective, and safe for Minnesota drivers

Directly Comparing Handoff Protocols for Pediatric Hospitalists

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Handoff protocols are often developed by brainstorming and consensus, and few are directly compared. We hypothesized that a handoff protocol (Flex 11) developed using a rigorous methodology would be more favorable in terms of clinicians’ attitudes, behaviors, cognitions, or time-on-task when performing handoffs compared with a prevalent protocol (Situation Background Assessment Recommendation [SBAR]). METHODS: Using a between-groups, randomized control trial design (Flex 11 versus SBAR) during a pilot study in a simulated environment, 20 clinicians (13 attending physicians and 7 residents) received 3 patient handoffs from a standardized physician, managed the patients, and handed off the patients to the same standardized physician. Participants completed surveys assessing their attitudes and cognitions, and behaviors and handoff duration were assessed through observations. RESULTS: All data were analyzed using independent samples t tests. For attitudes, “ease of use” ratings were lower for SBAR participants than Flex 11 participants (P , .01), and “being helpful” ratings were lower for SBAR participants than Flex 11 participants (P 5 .02). For behaviors, results indicate no significant difference in the information acquired between the SBAR and Flex 11 protocols. However, SBAR participants gave significantly less information than Flex 11 participants (P , .01). For cognitions, SBAR and Flex 11 participants reported similar workload except for frustration. For handoff duration, there were no significant differences between the protocols (P 5 .36). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Flex 11 is an efficient, beneficial tool in a simulated environment with pediatric clinicians. Future studies should evaluate this protocol in the inpatient setting

Novelty and Retention for Two Augmented Reality Learning Systems

Studies were conducted to measure novelty and learning retention while utilizing augmented reality (AR) in two learning systems. The first taught participants the basics of guitar and either a melody or scale using an AR guitar with an LED-embedded fret board. The guitar provided digital representations of learning patterns that users would otherwise need to visualize during the learning process. Results of three studies indicate that participants using the AR learning tool were able to perform more of the melody or scale after two-weeks. The second taught participants the basic functioning and anatomy of the heart, using either an AR model or a fiberglass model. Learning and technology acceptance were measured. Results indicated that the AR learning tool was as effective for participant learning when compared to the conventional fiberglass model learning tool. Furthermore, the AR learning tool was rated more enjoyable, curiosity inducing, and easier-to-use than the fiberglass model

Building a Simulated Medical Augmented Reality Training System

Medical decision-making largely depends on the caregiver’s fundamental knowledge of anatomy. To this end, the authors discuss a cost-effective augmented reality system for simulated medical research and education. First, we define augmented reality. Second, we will review the history of augmented reality in medical training. Third, we will discuss some of the human factors principles associated with augmented reality training systems. Fourth, we will describe our insight and methods for building a Simulated Medical Augmented Reality Training (SMART) system, which can be used as an alternative training tool for medical and anatomy students. Finally, we will outline five steps that can be taken to build a SMART system

Perhaps It\u27s Time to Consider a Fresh Start with Anatomy: Simulated Training Using Augmented Reality Technology

Perhaps It\u27s Time to Consider a Fresh Start with Anatomy: Simulated Training Using Augmented Reality Technolog

Effects of In-Vehicle Messaging on Mental Workload During Driving through Work Zones

Driving through work zones is especially risky. This study investigates a potential strategy for warning drivers of important events during work zone driving using in-vehicle smartphone messages. Participants used a driving simulator to drive through two different work zones. Work zone events were communicated either by roadside signage, through audio messages or through audio-visual messages on a smartphone placed either on the dashboard or the passenger seat of the vehicle. Subjective measures of mental workload and usability, along with event recall, were recorded for each drive. The overall pattern of results suggests reduced mental workload and better usability for in-vehicle smartphone messages. In-vehicle message systems may be a promising approach for improving driver safety in the work zone

Review Of Combat Identification Training: Technologies, Metrics, And Individual Differences

Combat identification (CID) has been studied throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, with a renewed interest in the topic in the past few decades. CID research has demonstrated that an emerging set of technologies could potentially mitigate some of the negative battlefield outcomes of failures in CID, including high rates of fratricide due to friendly fire. This paper discusses major CID research and provides an update on previous CID research by the authors. We review training technologies, effective measurement tools in this research, and important individual differences to consider for others researching training outcomes in relation to learning to differentiate between highly similar combat vehicles