Driving Safety Research Institute

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.

About Us

Participate

Participate in one of our studies, or join our registry to get notified about new studies.

Rose Schmitt and John Gaspar in NADS-1 control room

Our Research

We partner with researchers around the world to study the connection between humans and vehicles.

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.

Our Tech

Simulators and Vehicles miniSim

News

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.

Thomas outside of NADS leaning against his Mazda Miata

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

Wallethub

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

ADS for Rural America project website

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.

ADS for Rural America Shuttle Bus on Rural Road

On the Rural Road to Autonomy

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Hexagon | AutonomouStuff

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.

Black screen with text "Are you interested in driving research?"

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.

Dan McGehee and Christopher Rundus at graduation ceremony

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.

Hexagon's Sri Mushty, one of the autonomous software specialists working on our automated vehicle

ADS for Rural America update: July 2022

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

ADS for Rural America project website

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.