Human factors is a scientific field that studies human capabilities and limitations and applies that knowledge to the analysis and design of technology and the environment. In other words, human factors is the scientific study of how humans interact with technology and their environment.
Our human factors experts apply their knowledge of human attention, perception, and decision-making to evaluate a person’s actions under various circumstances. For example, human factors expert... moreHuman Factors
Human factors is a scientific field that studies human capabilities and limitations and applies that knowledge to the analysis and design of technology and the environment. In other words, human factors is the scientific study of how humans interact with technology and their environment.
Our human factors experts apply their knowledge of human attention, perception, and decision-making to evaluate a person’s actions under various circumstances. For example, human factors experts conduct scientific investigations and apply reliable human factors principles and methods to cases involving motor vehicle crashes, premises safety, and product design.
In transportation cases, human factors experts often evaluate driver actions in response to roadway conditions and hazards. For example, experts conduct investigations to assess the visibility of a hazard at night, to determine if a driver was reasonably attentive, to estimate whether a driver perceived and responded to the hazard in a reasonable amount of time, and to evaluate whether a driver was distracted, drowsy, or impaired. Human factors experts also evaluate the roadway environment to determine if there was sufficient information available to a driver to safely navigate the roadway (e.g., adequate signage, traffic control devices, lighting, etc.).
Human factors experts often analyze the impact of the design and condition of a roadway environment on a driver’s performance. Investigations include determining whether the traffic control devices, pavement markings, or signage were visible, whether they were consistent with a driver’s expectations, whether they caused the driver to take a particular action, and whether they were sufficient to prevent a collision. For example, a human factors expert may investigate whether there was sufficient information available to the driver on the roadway to avoid the collision, whether that information was available in sufficient time to avoid the collision, and/or whether additional signage or traffic control devices would have prevented the collision. In other words, human factors experts use the concepts of positive guidance and expectancy to evaluate the adequacy of traffic control devices and the roadway design.
When driving, road users seek out information in the roadway and surrounding environment in order to successfully navigate to their destination, select their vehicle’s path, and control their vehicle (e.g., steering, braking, etc.). Ninety percent of drivers’ tasks consist of seeking out and obtaining visual information from the roadway to maneuver their vehicle safely. In order for drivers to make safe decisions while driving, the visual information available to the driver must be adequate, accurate, and not be confusing.[1] To ensure that drivers have sufficient visual information to safely navigate roadways, two human factors concepts are employed when designing roadways in the United States—positive guidance and driver expectancy.
Positive guidance is the concept that drivers can safely avoid hazards when the roadway environment provides sufficient information where/when it is needed and in a form that is easy to understand.[2] Positive guidance is provided to drivers through traffic signs, pavement markings, traffic control devices, and perhaps most importantly, by the view of the road ahead. Expectancy relates to a driver’s readiness and ability to respond to situations, vehicles, and information that they encounter on the roadway in predictable and successful ways.[3] This includes a driver expecting traffic control devices and other drivers to operate in accordance with established conventions so they can respond safely and appropriately. When drivers’ expectancies are violated or when positive guidance is not provided, drivers may respond more slowly, incorrectly, or not at all.
