Mason researchers receive funding for driver visual searching behavior when navigating through alternative intersections

Duminda Wijesekera, Professor, Cyber Security Engineering and Computer Science, and Cing-Dao Kan, Professor/Director, Center for Collision Safety and Analysis,received funding for the study: "Driver Visual Searching Behavior when Navigating through Alternative Intersections."  

The project is an evaluation study of protected intersections focused on better handling of conflicts involving motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.  

Regarding the importance of this project, Wijesekera said, "State, local and federal governments spend many millions of dollars in creating novel designs for roadways and intersections, including roundabouts. The main research issue addressed by this research is: 'Do the drivers pay attention to these novel constructions?' The research grant addresses this question by having field testing using about 60 people driving around three cars used for experimental purposes instrumented by a specialized camera system to monitor drivers' pose and eye gaze on selected roadways and intersections. Knowing answers to this question would be useful in designing future intersections and enhancing existing ones with novel design features."  

Wijesekera and Kan received $201,162 from KEA Technologies, Inc., on a subaward from the Federal Highway Administration for this project. Funding began in Oct. 2022 and will end in Dec. 2023.