Reducing Driver Distraction for Young Connected Drivers with Voice Enabled Technologies

Abstract

Dr. Juan Gilbert and his research and his research team have been using voice-enabled technologies in an effort to reduce driver distraction. His research team has done studies on using speech to send/receive messages, get vehicle information and to communicate with others in and outside the vehicle. They have found that some young drivers can actually text while driving on par with talking while driving in some scenarios. Their research also shows that using a true, hands-free, eyes-free application, drivers were able to send short messages with less distraction vs. talking on the phone. Dr. Gilbert will present some innovative uses of speech in the vehicle and results from research studies on driver distraction with college students.

Bio

Dr. Juan E. Gilbert is the Andrew Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Professor and Chair of the Computer & Information Science & Engineering Department at the University of Florida where he leads the Human Experience Research Lab. Dr. Gilbert has research projects in spoken language systems, advanced learning technologies, usability and accessibility, Ethnocomputing (Culturally Relevant Computing) and databases/data mining. He is also a Fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science, National Associate of the National Research Council of the National Academies, an ACM Distinguished Scientist and a Senior Member of the IEEE. Dr. Gilbert was recently named one of the 50.

Sponsored by: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), University Transportation Centers Program

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, findings and conclusions reflected in this presentation are the responsibility of the authors only and do not represent the official policy or position of the USDOT/OST-R, or any State or other entity.

For more information, contact Denise E. Dunn at denise.e.dunn@dot.gov