Our Mission
We aim to make roads safer by researching the connection between humans and vehicles. We are home to the National Advanced Driving Simulator, and we now have a new name for our broader institute: the Driving Safety Research Institute.
The 24-foot NADS-1 simulator is on a six-legged base that rotates up to 330° and moves across the 64-foot square bay floor to simulate driving motions such as accelerating, lane changing, and skidding. There are 23 brakes on the large crossbeam that spans the room, while 42 hydrostatic bearings ride on a thin film of oil across smooth metal belts.
News
ADS Webinar #5 recording: 9 Things to Know When Testing AVs on Rural Roads
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Watch the recording of our fifth webinar to learn about our top nine challenges and successes from testing a highly automated vehicle on rural Iowa roads, including driving under automation on gravel, in winter weather, using high speeds (65 mph), and more.
Photo Gallery: DSRI Open House
Monday, October 23, 2023
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our public open house on Oct. 18 and took a ride in our automated Transit!
University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute holds open house showcasing current work and the future of driving
Friday, October 20, 2023
On October 18th, people got an up close look at the work being done here in Eastern Iowa on the future of driving and driver safety.
TR News article published: 'Automated vehicles in rural America: What’s the holdup?'
Friday, October 13, 2023
TR News recently published an article with two of our Iowa team authors titled 'Automated vehicles in rural America: What’s the holdup?'
UI Driving Safety Research Institute to host public open house, offer rides in an automated shuttle bus
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Join us on October 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. for our public open house. Attendees can ride in an automated shuttle bus, tour our facility, and drive one of our "miniSim" driving simulators.
UI researchers studying ADAS features and crashes
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
They are looking for drivers who have been involved in a crash or near-crash situation in the past 12 months while driving a vehicle equipped with at least one ADAS feature to participate in a study.
University of Iowa research sheds light on drowsy driving, including risk factors, sleepiness questionnaires & ADAS applications
Monday, July 31, 2023
Drowsy driving is thought to be a probable cause in almost 40% of investigated highway crashes. While our researchers found that notifications do little to change driver performance, nothing replaces quality sleep before a long drive.
The Long and Winding Road: 25 Years of the National Advanced Driving Simulator
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
From IEEE Xplore magazine, this article summarizes the capabilities and history behind the National Advanced Driving Simulator.
Podcast listen: Safely sharing the road with farm vehicles
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Listen to a short podcast on our SaferTrek project, which studied how passenger vehicles interact with farm vehicles on the road. With researchers Michelle Reyes and Cara Hamann.
Recent ISE PhD alum to begin career in driving safety research at NHTSA
Friday, July 14, 2023
Emily Shull recently graduated from the University of Iowa College of Engineering with a PhD in industrial and systems engineering. Soon she will begin her professional career as a general engineer at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Representing Rural America: Testing Automated Driving on Rural Roads
Friday, July 7, 2023
The University of Iowa is leading the way in testing a highly automated vehicle on unmarked and gravel roads, in winter weather, and at highway speeds.
UI researchers’ highly-automated van has ‘amazing potential’ for rural areas
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
The Gazette reports: The white Ford Transit could be a campus shuttle or a rural transit service van. Only those aboard the vehicle knew it was driving itself around the University of Iowa’s Oakdale research campus. ...
Univ. of Iowa researchers become one of the first to test driverless bus on rural roads
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
KCRG reports: The University of Iowa is shared their results on a self-driven bus that has traveled hundreds of miles throughout rural Iowa. ...
Automated vehicles could become a viable transportation alternative
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
KWWL reports: In Coralville on Tuesday, the Driving Safety Research Institute showed off the results of 2.5 years of research into automated vehicles on rural roads. ...
Steve Cable awarded 2023 Outstanding Staff Award
Monday, April 24, 2023
We are happy to announce that Steve Cable, our senior systems administrator, has been awarded the 2023 UI Outstanding Staff Award. This award recognizes current University of Iowa staff who have made outstanding accomplishments and contributions above and beyond their job responsibility that significantly benefit or bring honor or recognition to the university.
Science Café: Drugs and Driving
Friday, April 21, 2023
Tim Brown, Driving Safety Research Institute, and Gary Milavetz, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, were recent guests of the Science Café, where they discussed drugs and driving.
Listen: A ride in University of Iowa's automated vehicle
Thursday, April 20, 2023
On this special on-the-road edition of IPR's 'River to River,' director Dan McGehee, safety lead Cheryl Roe, and instrumentation lead Greg Wagner take IPR host Ben Keiffer for a ride in their automated vehicle.
John McGivern's Main Streets - Iowa City, Iowa
Friday, April 14, 2023
We were recently featured in the Iowa City episode of John McGivern's Main Streets showcasing many of Iowa City's hidden gems. Check out this episode to see why Iowa City is a town for everyone!
ADS for Rural America Webinar 4: Data Portal recording now available
Thursday, April 13, 2023
The recording is now available from our fourth ADS for Rural America webinar, this one focusing on our data portal and accessing our data.
The Hazards of Distracted Driving: McGehee on Iowa Public Radio
Friday, March 10, 2023
One in 5 crashes in Iowa are caused by distracted driving. Our director, Dan McGehee talks on Iowa Public Radio's River to River about the hazards of distracted driving.
Elon Musk has promised self-driving Teslas for years. Experts say it's not even close.
Monday, February 27, 2023
This Business Insider article discussed the future of autonomous vehicles with comments from University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute director, Daniel McGehee.
ADS for Rural America: Lessons learned so far
Monday, February 20, 2023
As of fall 2022, we're more than halfway done with our 2.5-year ADS for Rural America Project. The development of any new technology requires lessons learned along the way. This article explores the lessons we have learned in the first half of this U.S. DOT-funded demonstration project.
An alternative to touchscreens? In-car voice control is finally good
Thursday, February 16, 2023
This Ars Technica article features commentary from University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute director, Daniel McGehee.
DSRI welcomes Fulbright scholar Stefan Plaettner
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Join us in welcoming Stefan Plaettner, visiting Fulbright scholar from the Technical University of Dresden to the University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute (DSRI).
A new name for driving research at the University of Iowa
Monday, February 6, 2023
The University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) is excited to announce that the unit has been renamed to the University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute (DSRI). The name change was prompted to reflect both the unit’s established expertise in driving simulation and growing work in on-road driving research. The Driving Safety Research Institute will continue to house the NADS-1 simulator, along with its current fleet of on-road research vehicles.
Recording available for webinar 3: Rider and safety driver experience
Friday, February 3, 2023
A recording is now available of our third webinar on our ADS for Rural America project, which included video interviews of past riders, results of rider surveys (including their anxiety levels and perceptions of the technology), as well as safety driver experience and perceptions.
Navigating with a visual impairment
Monday, January 30, 2023
The study is examining how drivers with and without visual impairments navigate while driving in an unfamiliar area, with the ultimate goal of finding safer alternatives to the use of a bioptic telescope.
Taking control in Level 3 Automation
Thursday, January 26, 2023
This article summarizes findings from two recent studies that our researchers have worked on with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) examining the various aspects of transition of control (TOC) between human drivers and periods of automated driving.
NBC National News: Are car touchscreens distracting drivers?
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
We were recently featured in an NBC National News segment about vehicle touchscreens and distracted driving. Watch and find out how distracting touchscreens and cell phones are to drivers.
Univ. of Iowa researchers study drugged driving outcomes
Friday, December 30, 2022
Death and injury among road-users is up to an alarming rate according to a recent study by NHTSA and local researchers. They found that 55.8% of people seriously injured or killed in road crashes tested positive for one or more drugs.
New report finds nearly half of Iowa drivers involved in serious crashes tested positive for drugs
Thursday, December 29, 2022
New data from a NHSTA study, in partnership with the University of Iowa, show 45.3% of seriously injured drivers reporting to the Emergency Department tested positive for at least one drug. The top two were alcohol and cannabinoids.
2022 Annual Report now available
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Our 2022 annual report is here! We have spent the past year researching automated vehicles, traffic safety, drugged driving, and much more. Plus, read about our upcoming name change to "Driving Safety Research Institute" on page 3.
miniSim: A year in review
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
FY22 resulted in a number of system upgrades and custom development for the miniSim team.
Detecting impairment from cannabis
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
The theme this past year with much of our drugged-driving research has revolved around various methods of detecting driving impairment from cannabis use.
Impact of 'road diets'
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
For more than two decades, the Iowa DOT has been encouraging Iowa communities to consider converting certain four-lane streets to three lanes (also known as a “road diet”) with the aim to improve safety and reduce crashes.
Roe takes on new responsibility with Iowa ATC
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Spearheaded by the Iowa DOT, the Iowa Advisory Council on Automated Transportation (ATC) is setting the course for the future of automated transportation in Iowa.
Advancing high school robotics
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Three high school students spent this past summer making enhancements to a robot car.
NADS lands contract with NHTSA for automated vehicle research
Thursday, October 20, 2022
The University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) has secured a contract with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a project that will look at roadway interactions between human-driven and automated vehicles.
Student Internship Highlight: Thomas Burt
Monday, October 17, 2022
Thomas Burt is a graduate research assistant at the National Advanced Driving Simulator and an Industrial and Systems Engineering Ph.D. student at the University of Iowa who spent his summer as an intern for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
2022's Best & Worst Cities to Drive in
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Dr. Daniel V. McGehee, director of the National Advanced Driving Simulator, is featured in WalletHub's recent article about the Best Cities to Drive in.
Recording of Webinar 2: Vehicle Hardware and Software now available
Thursday, September 29, 2022
The recording is now available for webinar about our vehicle, including details on the installed hardware and integrated software system, along with some lessons learned and advice for others embarking on similar projects.
On the Rural Road to Autonomy
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Automated Driving System program looks to raise the bar for self-driving in the country.
NADS welcomes new assistant research scientist Justin Mason
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Help us welcome our new assistant research scientist Justin Mason. Check out this quick Q&A to learn more about what drives Mason's research and why he chose the University of Iowa.
Student Overview: National Advanced Driving Simulator
Monday, August 1, 2022
Are you interested in driving research? The National Advanced Driving Simulator has a variety of opportunities for students from different disciplines.
Q&A with 2022 Ph.D. Alum Christopher R. M. Rundus
Monday, July 18, 2022
Recent Industrial and Systems Engineering Ph.D. student Christopher R.M. Rundus had his choice of careers when he graduated from the University of Iowa. Learn more about his time at the university and his future plans.
ADS for Rural America update: July 2022
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
We recently started Phase 3 (of 6) of our project, with the help of one of our tech partners, Hexagon | AutonomouStuff. See also how our co-pilot display works.
PAVE Panel "Digital Infrastructure in Highly Automated Driving" with Dr. Dan McGehee
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Check out the recording of last week's PAVE Panel "Digital Infrastructure in Highly Automated Driving" with Dr. Dan McGehee, director of the National Advanced Driving Simulator.
Apple Embraces the Ever-Expanding Dashboard Touchscreen
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Infotainment systems are often used to provide drivers with a less distracting alternative to the smartphone. However, there are still many safety concerns in regard to these systems, and there is little research that focuses on distraction and infotainment systems directly. This WIRED article featuring Dr. Daniel McGehee takes a look at the future of infotainment systems, specifically the next generation of CarPlay.
Cannabis Impaired Driving
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Cannabis Impaired Driving. Timothy Brown, Ph.D.
Dr. Tim Brown, the Director of Drugged Driving Research at the University of Iowa's National Advanced Driving Simulator joins us to talk about Cannabis and Drugged Driving, and the results are scary.
The Science of Distracted Driving
Thursday, June 16, 2022
The Science of Distracted Driving with Dr. Daniel McGehee – National Advanced Driving Simulator. Professor Daniel McGehee from the National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa joins us to talk about the science of distracted driving, multi-tasking, and safety.
Can CBD Impact Your Driving Ability? What We Know
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Millions of Americans regularly use CBD but little is known about the impacts of CBD on driving ability. This Healthline article, with comments from Tim Brown, director of drugged driving research at the National Advanced Driving Simulator, gives insight into driving ability and CBD use.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) vs. Automation
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are becoming more common in everyday vehicles. Watch our quick video to learn about the differences between ADAS and automation and your responsibilities as a driver.
Congrats to McGehee on his tenure
Monday, May 9, 2022
Congratulations to NADS Director Daniel McGehee, PhD, as he has recently been promoted and tenured as part of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Alumni Spotlight: Shan Bao, PhD
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Alumni spotlight of Shan Bao, a former Ph.D. student at the University of Iowa who researched automotive human factors
Webinar recording: Cannabis and Driving Safety - What's new and what's next?
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Watch a panel discussion of recent research findings on cannabis and driving, including what research is needed to better understand how cannabis impacts driving performance and safety, as well how improved technology might be able to detect impaired driving.
ADS for Rural America webinar 1 recording: Focus on Safety
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Watch a recording of our first webinar about our ADS for Rural America project, "Focus on Safety," held on Thursday, April 21.
Drug use in crashes higher during COVID-19 pandemic
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things, including the prevalence of drugged driving. The University of Iowa was selected as one of the collection sites to examine the prevalence of drugged driving among seriously and fatally injured road users
SaferTrek: Sharing the Road
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Using devices installed on farm equipment, researchers collected data and video on vehicle interactions with on-road farm equipment.
Does regenerative braking have safety benefits?
Monday, February 14, 2022
If you’ve driven an electric vehicle, you’ve likely used regenerative braking. But is there a safety benefit to this feature? “You basically get a head start on the braking so that the stopping distance is reduced,” explained Chris Schwarz, PhD.
Innovative headlights could help save pedestrians, bicyclists
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
A new type of headlight may help save pedestrians from getting struck by vehicles at night, studied at University of Iowa with researchers from Toyota CSRC.
McGehee, Ahmad appear on PAVE panel, see recording
Thursday, January 27, 2022
We're partnering with PAVE Campaign for their virtual panel "All AVs Are Local: Iowa's Automated Rural Shuttle" on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. CT! Join our own Dan McGehee and Omar Ahmad as they discuss our ADS for Rural America automated shuttle project, with a recording available after Feb. 2.
‘Arbitrary’ cutoffs of THC levels make it difficult to measure impaired driving
Friday, January 14, 2022
Knowing if you’re too impaired to drive due to cannabis use is not nearly as straightforward as it is from alcohol use. Finding a way to measure this is a topic of some of our ongoing research.
A year in review: Rural roads, drowsy driving, cannabis, and more
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
See what we’ve been up to in the past year in our NADS Annual Report, with stories about ADS for Rural America, driving drowsy, regenerative braking safety benefits, cannabis and driving, and more.
ADS for Rural America project update: Dec. 2021
Friday, December 10, 2021
The ADS for Rural America project launched in October 2021 and has completed its first phase of data collection. See an example map and learn more about the roles of the safety driver and co-pilot.
Students build miniSims, on-the-job experience
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Ben Berhow and Wil Comer—two seniors majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of Iowa—both landed part-time jobs with the miniSim team at the National Advanced Driving Simulator this past year, giving them valuable on-the-job experience.
Researchers identify brain markers that signify cannabis impairment, win ‘top paper’ award
Friday, October 22, 2021
In an important step toward identifying who is too impaired to drive due to cannabis use, a team of researchers from the University of Iowa and Advanced Brain Monitoring found there are specific markers in brain activity linked to cannabis intoxication that consistently and negatively impact driving performance.
Podcast: The Latest Research on Drugged Driving with Timothy Brown, PhD
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Research Scientist Timothy Brown, PhD, at the National Advanced Driving Simulator discusses his extensive experience in drugged driving research studies: specifically, his work on the dangers of prescription drug and marijuana use while driving.
Ride with us! Participation sign-up now open
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Want to ride in a partially automated vehicle with us? We’re now looking for people who are age 65 or older, have a disability that affects their mobility (age 25 or older), or have low vision impairment (age 25 or older). We’ll be stopping in Iowa City, Hills, Riverside, and Kalona.
Driving Assessment student award winners announced
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Another successful Driving Assessment conference is in the books! Student award winners included Linda Pipkorn of Chalmers, Erika Ziraldo of University of Guelph, and Katelyn Schwieters of University of Minnesota.
Summer outreach events
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
We've had a great time so far this summer attending local outreach events to talk to people about our ADS for Rural America project. We've been to three of the four communities along our project route: Riverside, Hills, and Iowa City.
Study: Marijuana’s impact on driving is strain-specific
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
In a study published in Traffic Injury Prevention, our researchers found that effects on driving performance after cannabis use can depend on the type of high that the user experiences. Cannabis use that produces more stimulation results in less impact on driving, while use that produces a more stoned or high feeling results in worse driving performance.
2021’s Best and Worst States for Teen Drivers
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Check out our Director Dan McGehee’s expert take on teen driving safety and a ranking of the best states for teen drivers. Do you agree with Iowa’s ranking?
Photo Gallery: ADS for Rural America
Monday, June 14, 2021
Learn more about our ADS for Rural America project and our newly-equipped Ford Transit shuttle bus, set to be on Iowa roads later this summer.
O’Neal receives NICHD award to further study teen driving safety
Friday, May 21, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth O'Neal, a postdoctoral research scholar at the National Advanced Driving Simulator and the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, for receiving a K99/R00 Award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Case study: Automated Driving Systems for Rural America
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Our tech partners Hexagon | AutonomouStuff in Morton, Illinois, have been busy with the final software integration and testing of our new automated vehicle, set to hit Iowa rural roads this summer.
Iowa State Patrol focus on bad driving habits with enforcement project, say distracted driving plays a role
Thursday, April 29, 2021
KCRG TV9 News reports on the rise in distracted driving, what law enforcement has seen, and the research being done on distracted driving at the University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator.
Expert says driver distraction is becoming more dangerous in Iowa
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
NADS Director Dan McGehee talks with KWWL on the dangers of distracted driving, especially on Iowa's unforgiving roads.
NADS researchers work to understand driver distraction and make roads safer
Thursday, April 22, 2021
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. 3,142 people were killed from distracted driving in 2019 – a 10% increase from 2018. NADS researchers work to reverse that trend.
What Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Means For Iowa
Monday, April 5, 2021
NADS Director Dan McGehee appeared on Iowa Public Radio's River to River, toward the end of the hour talking about next generation transportation.
Project update: Equipment installed on new research vehicle
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
The Transit shuttle bus for the University of Iowa's ADS for Rural America project has been equipped with automated driving technology by Illinois-based AutonomouStuff.
Autonomous Lingo in the Repair Space
Friday, March 5, 2021
Advertising campaigns have been overestimating vehicle’s capabilities since the 1960s, but with today’s technology, hyperbolic language has the power to be dangerous. NADS Director Dan McGehee explains.
Video: Automated Driving Systems for Rural America
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
How do people in rural areas who can’t drive get where they need to go? Decades down the road, “AVs could allow these people to continue to live independently,” says Omar Ahmad.
Connected simulation captures realistic human interaction
Thursday, February 4, 2021
NADS recently wrapped up a multi-year project connecting multiple people interacting in the same virtual environment.
Medical research meets driving research
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Does exercise change driving performance in patients with Parkinson’s disease?
Creating an Automated Shuttle for America’s Backroads
Thursday, January 28, 2021
An automated shuttle bus is about to hit Iowa roads next summer. Here's a brief update on our ADS for Rural America project by ADAPT, including how our vehicle is becoming automated at AutonomouStuff, LLC to how COVID-19 has impacted the project.
International scholars partner on research projects
Monday, January 25, 2021
Visiting scientists from around the world come to NADS to work on research projects for sometimes months at a time and collaborate with our experts. One such example was in fall 2019, with Felix Ellensohn from the Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Countermeasures to reduce drowsy driving
Monday, January 25, 2021
Teens at the wheel
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
When parents are in the vehicle with their teenage driver, crash rates are low. However, as soon as teens are by themselves, the crash rates skyrocket. Can new-driver training programs be used to effectively lower those rates?
Highlights from 2020
Monday, January 11, 2021
Learn more about our major accomplishments from FY20, including ADS for Rural America, cannabis and driving, teens at the wheel, human factors, connected simulation, Parkinson's disease, new options on miniSim, and more
The Road to the Future Runs Through Iowa
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
University of Iowa researchers at the National Advanced Driving Simulator pave the way for the automated vehicles of tomorrow. But how soon before self-driving cars get here? Iowa's rural roads could hold the key.
Drugged driving research: Major findings 2010–2020
Monday, December 14, 2020
A quick summary of our major drugged driving research findings from the past 10 years.
ADS project update: Our vehicle is now becoming automated
Friday, December 4, 2020
Our Automated Driving Systems (ADS) for Rural America project vehicle, a Ford Transit, is being outfitted with technologies that will give it automated capabilities. Soon, the transit will arrive at the University of Iowa and our demonstration project and testing will begin.
KGAN: New driving behavior a concern heading into winter
Friday, November 20, 2020
Changing driver behavior due to the COVID-19 pandemic in combination with dangerous winter conditions raises concern for many driving safety officials in the state of Iowa. Driving Safety Research Institute director, Daniel McGehee discusses the dangers of speed and the changes in driver behavior due to the pandemic.
University of Iowa researchers focus on the transition from self-driving to manual modes in vehicles
Monday, October 26, 2020
NADS pulls in nearly $1.5M to further study transition of control in automated vehicles
Thursday, October 15, 2020
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) recently granted the University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) a $1.45 million award to further study transition of control in automated vehicles in a simulation environment.
Take a 360 degree virtual tour of the National Advanced Driving Simulator
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Check out our virtual tour of our facility, including the simulators and research vehicles.
The Rural Hurdle
Thursday, September 24, 2020
What happens when an autonomous vehicle is not on a coastline highway, but a gravel road that it has to navigate? That is precisely what Omar Ahmad and his team at the University of Iowa are hoping to answer.
NADS provides national leadership on COVID-19 research protocols
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
NADS Director Daniel McGehee made recommendations for human subjects testing in driving research for the COVID-19 era to the Transportation Research Board.
University of Iowa researchers study effects of cannabis on driving
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
The National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa is conducting a paid study to test cannabis users to determine levels of impairment of those who use cannabis.
UI ramping up automated vehicle testing on local rural roads from $7M USDOT grant
Monday, August 10, 2020
Automated vehicle route to go through Iowa City, Hills, Riverside, and Kalona starting in 2021
Car and Driver Magazine: We Take an $80 Million Driving Simulator for a Spin
Saturday, July 11, 2020
The University of Iowa uses a Toyota Camry and a lot of tech to study how humans interact with the future. We went for a drive.
Parents Play A Significant Role In Keeping Teen Drivers Safe
Monday, February 10, 2020
According to a recent study from the University of Iowa, the combination of in-vehicle video monitoring and conversations about safe driving between parents and teens can reduce the risk of serious car accidents.
Automated Vehicle Technology with Dr. Dan McGehee
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
We hear so much about self-driving vehicles but in reality how far away are they? My guest is Dr. Dan McGehee the Director of the Dan McGehee Image Dec 2019Human Factors and Vehicle Safety Research Division at the University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator in the College of Engineering. What he has to say about automated vs. autonomous vehicles may surprise you. What is really amazing is that his team works on projects that are 20 years ahead of production.
Touch screens in cars are distracting, so why do we keep putting them there?
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Daniel McGehee is a human factors engineer and director of the National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa, where he studies distracted driving and specializes in figuring out how to design vehicle interfaces around human limitations, such as memory and vision.
Iowa researchers prepare rural roads for the future
Friday, October 4, 2019
Most roads in the U.S. are in rural areas, and the University of Iowa’s National Advanced Driving Simulator is working to make them safer and prepare them for a future with driverless vehicles.
Advanced Brain Monitoring Hits the Road with Cannabis Impairment Detection
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Advanced Brain Monitoring is set to develop a Cannabis Impairment Detection Application. Building on successful achievements of a multi-year collaboration with the University of Iowa’s National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) involving drug effects on driving and brain activity, the team will conduct controlled cannabis dose-response studies with an alcohol comparison to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the CIDA.
A Cool 60 Million for Automated Driving R&D
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded nearly $60 million in grant funding to eight projects in seven states to test the safe integration of automated driving systems (ADS). The grants seek to gather safety data to inform rulemaking and foster collaboration amongst state and local government and private partners.
Federal grant to help NADS study automated vehicles on rural roads
Thursday, September 19, 2019
The University of Iowa’s National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) received a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the safe deployment of automated vehicles in rural areas.
University of Iowa awarded $7 million from US DOT to test driverless technologies
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
The University of Iowa will put to use a $7.03 million grant it received from the U.S. Department of Transportation to test how automated driving systems safely can be introduced on the state’s roads.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Announces Automated Driving System Demonstration Grant Winners
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
U.S. Secretary of Transportation announced nearly $60 million in federal grant funding to eight projects in seven states to test the safe integration of automated driving systems (ADS) on our nation’s roadways.
Iowa Engineer: Celebrating 20 years of driver safety research
Monday, September 9, 2019
University of Iowa College of Engineering magazine
9 signs you could be a distracted driver
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
This Gazette article asks a big question "Are you a distracted driver?" Learn what distracted driving really means and how you can take the steps to be a more aware and less distracted driver.
Art, science collide in dance
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
University of Iowa Dance Department, in collaboration with the National Advanced Driving Simulator, presents There Are No Accidents: Crash Dance, which explores the art and science to human error in a technology-programmed world.
Iowa Senate approves autonomous vehicle regulations
Friday, April 5, 2019
The Iowa Senate has approved legislation that would govern how autonomous vehicles operate in the state.
Tractor simulator studies farm safety
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Farming is the most dangerous domestic job in the United States, nearly a hundred agricultural workers are injured every day. In particular, operating large, heavy machines can hurt or kill farmers but researchers at the University of Iowa are trying to learn more to save lives.
Steering Iowa toward automated vehicles
Friday, March 1, 2019
This Gazette article explores the future of automated vehicles in rural states like Iowa and gives a brief overview of the new research being done in Iowa by researchers at the Driving Safety Research Institute.
Talking to teens can lead to safer driving
Saturday, February 9, 2019
A study from the University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator finds that the use of video monitoring technology combined with parents talking to their teens about safe driving motivates young drivers to be safer.
Knowing your car's assisted driving limits
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
A report released by AAA with information given from researchers by a team at the University of Iowa's National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) shows advanced driver assistance systems have the ability to prevent 2.7 million crashes if installed on all vehicles, but researchers are finding those numbers can only be achieved if drivers are well-educated on their systems.
Touch Screens Are Distracting Drivers. What Are Carmakers Doing To Help?
Monday, October 9, 2017
See all archived news articles
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Looking for past news articles? All of the University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute's archived news articles are available here.
Past findings in NADS cannabis research from 2015
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Read archived news articles of some of our past research findings in cannabis-impaired driving.
ADS for Rural America
Learn more about our Automated Driving Systems (ADS) for Rural America project, which drove a partially-automated shuttle bus through Iowa City, Hills, Riverside, and Kalona, Iowa.
Tour our tech
Take a 360 degree virtual tour of our facility, and learn more about our technology and expertise.