NADS-1 simulator and automated Ford Transit

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.
Hands over a steering wheel

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 Ford transit on rural road

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.
Voice Control Buttons

An alternative to touchscreens? In-car voice control is finally good

Thursday, February 16, 2023
Ars Technica
This Ars Technica article features commentary from University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute director, Daniel McGehee.
Stefan Plaettner stands by the viewing window of the NADS-1 simulator

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).
Webinar 3 screenshot

Recording available for webinar 3: Rider and safety driver experience

Friday, February 3, 2023
ADS for Rural America project website
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.
A bioptic telescope (pictured) is used by drivers in some states to read road signs.

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.
Camry cab inside the NADS-1 simulator

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 News screenshot

NBC National News: Are car touchscreens distracting drivers?

Tuesday, January 17, 2023
NBC News
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.
Tim Brown on KCRG

Univ. of Iowa researchers study drugged driving outcomes

Friday, December 30, 2022
KCRG TV9 News
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.
driver in car

New report finds nearly half of Iowa drivers involved in serious crashes tested positive for drugs

Thursday, December 29, 2022
Iowa Public Radio
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 NADS Annual Report cover

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

miniSim: A year in review

Wednesday, December 21, 2022
FY22 resulted in a number of system upgrades and custom development for the miniSim team.
Tim Brown, PhD and Rose Schmitt collaborate on testing a driving scenario for an impairment study.

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.
Mormon Trek Blvd in Iowa City

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 (pictured) is shown driving the NADS Ford Transit and is also safety lead for our ADS for Rural America demonstration project

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.
Students Tommy Rogers and Marcus Miller worked on the robotics platform this past summer, along with and Kyle Chi (not pictured)

Advancing high school robotics

Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Three high school students spent this past summer making enhancements to a robot car.
Inside NADS-1 simulator

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.

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