Center for Vehicle-Infrastructure Safety
About CVIS
The Center for Vehicle-Infrastructure Safety specializes in research dealing with safety issues involving vehicle-infrastructure cooperative safety systems, intersection collision avoidance, roadway delineation, and roadway and vehicle lighting. The goal of the Center is to conduct research and development efforts that advance knowledge and provide solutions to real-world situations.
About the Director
Dr. Vicki L. Neale is the Director of the Center for Vehicle- Infrastructure Safety at VTTI. Dr. Neale's transportation- related research extends back
to 1991. She joined VTTI in 1996 and became a center director in 2003. Dr. Neale has an extensive background in human-computer interface design and
the development of innovative training systems. She is a graduate-level educator, having taught courses within the fields of psychology, industrial
systems engineering, and civil engineering. Dr. Neale has developed transportation seminars and workshops, and spearheaded on-road and test track research
to evaluate in-vehicle information systems, driver fatigue, driver distraction,
and sign conspicuity. Neale directs two groups, Cooperative Safety Systems, and Lighting and Infrastructure Technology, in procuring funding
and fulfilling contractual obligations to federal, state, and corporate
sponsors.
The Center is comprised of two research groups:
The Cooperative Safety Systems (CSS) group investigates
the algorithms, warning methods, and driver behavior associated with cooperative
safety systems at traffic signal and stop-controlled intersections.
The Lighting and Infrastructure Technology
(LIT) group investigates the driver-related effects of
advanced roadway lighting, delineation, signage, and vehicle lighting systems,
as well as road-user safety during adverse weather conditions. In 2006 the
LIT group began work on the Lighting and Infrastructure Technology Affiliates
Program (LITAP). For more information.
Current Work
Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance System to Prevent
Violations (CICAS-V)
Over 2.7 million crashes occur at intersections each year, resulting in more than 9,000 deaths. In particular, red-light and stop-sign violations are responsible for $39 billion in economic losses. The envisioned CICAS-V system being researched in this $25 million project, will prevent crashes between vehicles due to violations of traffic signals and stop signs by providing a warning to violating drivers.
Previous Work
Intersection Decision Support (IDS)
This study, funded by FHWA and VTRC, developed and evaluated countermeasures to address intersection collisions. Specifically, the project tested countermeasures to help prevent straight-crossing-path crashes that arise from signal and stop-sign violations. These countermeasures were primarily infrastructure-based, although cooperative support for systems with in-vehicle warnings was also provided.
Intersection Collision Avoidance - Violation (ICAV)
This study targeted intersection crashes caused by stop-sign and traffic-signal violations. The ICAV system used an in-vehicle interface to alert the inattentive or distracted driver to an imminent stop sign or signal violation.