How Data Acquisition Systems Revolutionized Research
In the early 1990s, when Andy Petersen, the chief engineer at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), was tasked with instrumenting a vehicle for research purposes, it took him three months to complete the process. Little did he know that this would mark the beginning of a groundbreaking project that would revolutionize transportation safety. Fast forward to today, and the institute’s “100-car study” has not only transformed the way researchers collect data but has also had a profound impact on safety regulations, driver behavior, and the design of vehicle safety systems.
The Birth of the 100-Car Study
With federal funding and support from the Virginia Department of Transportation, Petersen, along with Tom Dingus, embarked on the ambitious endeavor of creating the first large-scale, naturalistic driving study. The goal was to instrument 100 cars with data acquisition systems and capture real-world driving behavior to gain insights into the causes of crashes and near-crashes.
The initial prototype of the data acquisition system, developed in the early 1990s, was about the size of a briefcase and required eight hours of installation by two people. The footage was recorded on VHS tapes, but as technology advanced, the recordings transitioned to digital storage. Over time, multiple generations of the system were developed, with each iteration becoming smaller, more powerful, and easier to install.
Advancements in Data Acquisition Systems
The Hardware Engineering Lab at VTTI played a crucial role in the evolution of data acquisition systems. Engineers continuously improved the systems to collect accurate video and data while withstanding the harsh environments within vehicles. The most recent iterations, rolled out in 2016 and 2019, provided HD and 4K video streams, higher sampling rates of sensors, and expanded integration with the latest vehicle networks.
These advancements allowed researchers to gain a clearer picture of crash and near-crash incidents, as well as driver distractions. The data collected from the “100-car study” and subsequent naturalistic driving studies involving different vehicle types, such as tractor-trailers, motorcycles, bicycles, and e-scooters, have been instrumental in shaping safety regulations and policies.
From Research to Practice
The impact of naturalistic driving studies extends beyond the realm of research. The findings have influenced safety regulations, driver distraction and impairment policies, and even hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers. VTTI’s statistics on the dangers of distracted driving played a crucial role in Virginia becoming the 22nd state to ban handheld phone usage while driving.
Rich Hanowski, director of the Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety at VTTI, emphasizes that this work is continuously saving lives. The research conducted at VTTI has contributed to a safer transportation system by mitigating truck driver fatigue and promoting awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.
Shaping the Future of Transportation
The vast amount of video and sensor data collected through naturalistic driving studies has empowered researchers to develop solutions for current transportation challenges and anticipate future needs. By studying real-world driving behavior, researchers can identify areas for improvement in vehicle safety system design and make policy recommendations to government and industry partners.
Miguel Perez, a research scientist at VTTI, highlights that data acquisition systems not only allow researchers to address current transportation problems but also work towards creating a more equitable transportation system for all road users.
Conclusion:
The “100-car study” and subsequent naturalistic driving studies have transformed the way researchers collect data and understand driving behavior. The advancements in data acquisition systems have enabled researchers to make significant contributions to transportation safety, influencing regulations, policies, and the design of vehicle safety systems. The impact of these studies extends beyond research, saving lives and creating a safer transportation system for all. As technology continues to advance, data acquisition systems will remain a crucial tool in shaping the future of transportation.
Leave a Reply