United States Department of TransportationResearch & Evaluation
Behavioral Research
Behaviors and Attitudes
NHTSA studies behaviors and attitudes in highway safety, focusing on drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. We identify and measure behaviors involved in crashes or associated with injuries, and develop and refine countermeasures to deter unsafe behaviors and promote safe alternatives.
Our recently published reports and research notes are listed chronologically below. To the right are additional resources including Traffic Techs.
| Title | |
|---|---|
Impact of Access Management on Driver BehaviorsThis project analyzed data from the Second Strategic Highway Research Program’s Naturalistic Driving Study (SHRP2-NDS) to investigate the effects of roadway designs and access management techniques on driver behavior. The project included a literature review, interviews with subject matter experts, variable selection, data sampling, coding of driving behavior, and analysis. Selecting hesitation and uncertainty at circular intersections as the driving behavior of interest, the project team used traditional statistics and machine-learning to understand 1) when hesitation and uncertainty is most likely, and 2) what contextual variables predict the incidence of hesitation and uncertainty. The team found hesitation or uncertainty most common during entry at circular intersections, and that driver age and engagement in secondary tasks (e.g., eating, cell phone usage) the most important predictors of hesitation or uncertainty. These findings suggest further development and dissemination of educational or informational materials could mitigate drivers’ hesitation or uncertainty in circular intersections and thereby improve traffic safety. |
DOT HS 813 440 |
Analysis of Ground Ambulance Crash Data From 2012 to 2018This study reviewed ground ambulance crashes that occurred from 2012 to 2018 in the United States. The study queried several national crash databases and reviewed NHTSA’s Special Crash Investigation reports for ambulance-involved crashes. The objective of the study was to review ambulance crashes that occurred from 2012 to 2018 to identify factors contributing to ambulance-involved crashes and injuries and identify priority countermeasures to increase ambulance safety. Findings suggest several priority countermeasures to improve ground ambulance safety: (1) Strengthen organizational safety polices; (2) Reduce operator error through training; (3) Create a culture of safety; and (4) Adopt new vehicle safety designs or technologies. |
DOT HS 813 480 |
Comparative Study of Communities With High Rates of Pedestrian InjuriesA challenge for many communities is understanding, developing, and deploying effective strategies to address pedestrian deaths and injuries. The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center and 2M Research conducted a comparative analysis of 12 communities successfully addressing pedestrian issues to other communities with similar populations, density, incomes, geographic regions, and other factors. Their research resulted in a discrete set of strategies and best practices that may help to explain the communities’ successes. This guidebook describes the study, the results, specific strategy, countermeasures, and solutions. |
DOT HS 813 463 |
Low-Cost Pedestrian Safety Zones: Countermeasure Selection ResourceThis project consists of two reports, this one and Low-Cost Pedestrian Safety Zones: Countermeasure Selection Resource. They were developed for State Highway Safety Offices and transportation professionals seeking to support and implement low-cost, quick countermeasures to address pedestrian safety. The handbook describes the process of developing and using low-cost pedestrian safety zones. The resource report details low-cost countermeasures as part of pedestrian safety zone efforts. Pedestrian safety zones target a specifically identified area using a complex combination of countermeasures, typically education, enforcement, and engineering. When done correctly, significant improvements are made. |
DOT HS 813 479 |
Low-Cost Pedestrian Safety Zones: An Eight-Step HandbookThis project consists of two reports, this one and Low-Cost Pedestrian Safety Zones: Countermeasure Selection Resource. They were developed for State Highway Safety Offices and transportation professionals seeking to support and implement low-cost, quick countermeasures to address pedestrian safety. The handbook describes the process of developing and using low-cost pedestrian safety zones. The resource report details low-cost countermeasures as part of pedestrian safety zone efforts. Pedestrian safety zones target a specifically identified area using a complex combination of countermeasures, typically education, enforcement, and engineering. When done correctly, significant improvements are made. |
DOT HS 813 478 |
Examining Instrumented Roadways for Speed-Related ProblemThis project evaluated efforts by the Stafford County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office to reduce speeding on roadways. Researchers coordinated to implement countermeasures on corridors with safety concerns where speed was a factor. Speed and enforcement data were collected to look at the impacts of the enforcement efforts. From this, the SCSO was able to make decisions on where countermeasures would be applied and what countermeasures would be implemented, including deputy presence with on-site enforcement, decoy cars, speed trailers with digital feedback signs, and changeable message signs. The SCSO also used social media to release public service announcements about the safety campaigns. Decoy cars proved to be the most successful activity that led to drivers reducing their speeds for more than a day. Speed trailers and deputies on-site issuing citations were also effective, but seemed to be localized. The study found the number of speeders to be a statistically significant predictor of crashes and showed that traffic volumes can increase without a concurrent increase in crashes if the increased volume is made up of non-speeders. |
DOT HS 813 467 |
Increasing Safety Belt Use Amongst Rural PopulationsThis 12-month demonstration project focuses on increasing seat belt use in two test locations, Bingham County, Idaho, and Rapides Parish, Louisiana. The project relies on a multifaceted approach consisting of sustained publicity and police enforcement. A technical assistance guide was used to motivate and assist law enforcement agencies to engage rural community members on the importance of wearing seat belts. The program consisted of contact with seat belt violators and sustained messaging. Results were mixed. Officer engagement with non-compliance rose in both locations, but messaging efforts were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages. Rapides Parish showed modest improvements in belt use, but Bingham County did not. During debriefing, local agency representatives were confident that the program would be more successful if carried out in more normal circumstances. |
DOT HS 813 442 |
Research on Older Adults’ Mobility: 2023 Meeting Summary ReportThis report describes a meeting held to spotlight research on older adults’ mobility (ROAM). Participants shared news of completed research, reported on the progress of ongoing studies, and highlighted priorities for future work. ROAM 2023 included general and breakout sessions devoted to the safety implications of limited-term license renewal policies, transportation options for rural and small communities, older pedestrian crashes, promoting older driver safety to State agencies and providers, a national volunteer driver center, safety implications of older drivers’ vehicle choices, and the CarFit program. Some information reported on events and research discussed in last year’s meeting, known as ROAM 2022. |
DOT HS 813 457 |
Exploring the Impact of Select Speed-Reducing Countermeasures on Pedestrian and Bicyclist SafetySpeed is a contributor to both crash frequency and crash severity. This project explored efforts to reduce speed and evaluated their effectiveness in improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Phase 1 was a program scan that identified countermeasures in use throughout the United States. Based on the scan, the team evaluated automated speed enforcement and road conversions in five municipalities to explore their impact on motor vehicle related pedestrian and bicyclist crashes. Phase evaluated safety benefits of a select group of temporary road conversions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
DOT HS 813 446 |
In-vehicle Drowsy Driving Detection and AlertingThis project evaluated the efficacy of two notifications, a lane departure warning (LDW) and a drowsiness notification with LDW (DN/LDW), on potential drowsy driving episodes during 4-hour overnight drives in a high-fidelity driving simulator with an incentive method designed to replicate the motivational tradeoffs common to drowsy driving. The combined DN/LDW, but not the LDW, was effective in reducing the frequency of lane departures and in reducing percentage of eyelid closure prior to lane departure events compared to baseline. There was no difference between the notification conditions and baseline with respect to the frequency or timing of breaks to rest. |
DOT HS 813 438 |