University of Pittsburgh

Tier 1 University Transportation Center (UTC) grant

Automated vehicle Services for People with disabilities – Involved Responsive Engineering 
(ASPIRE Center)

Center Director: Rory A. Cooper, PhD
Center Co-Director: Brad E. Dicianno, MD, MS
Primary Site: University of Pittsburgh
Partner Universities: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, The Catholic University of America

The Human Engineering Research Laboratories, within the University of Pittsburgh and in consortium with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Catholic University of America, have been selected for award of one of four new Tier 1 University Transportation Center grants resulting from the US Department of Transportation’s Grants.gov Opportunity UTCTIER1COMP2020 (March 30, 2020). 
The US DOT has issued a press release announcing all the selections:  https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-nearly-5-million-4-new-university-0. 

Executive Summary

Last fall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released federal guidelines governing automated vehicles (AVs), but failed to address the specific needs of individuals with disabilities.  Similarly, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published international standard J3016, which includes a common taxonomy and definitions for automated driving to simplify communication and facilitate collaboration within technical and policy domains, but also fails to define any key terms or unique issues related to the usability or accessibility of individuals with disabilities. It is clear that different levels of automation pose distinct challenges for people with disabilities; therefore, further research is needed to not only better understand these needs, but to also develop design strategies to meet them.  Such research would be best accomplished by incorporating the principals of participatory design, where all stakeholders (e.g. engineers, designers, clinicians, scientists, and people with disabilities) work collaboratively in a transdisciplinary fashion.

In response to this important need, we propose to create the Automated vehicle Service for People with disabilities – Involved Response Engineering (ASPIRE) Center. The initial aims of the Center will be as follows:

  • Aim 1: Systematic Review: We will conduct a comprehensive review of the literature to more clearly understand the current trends and implications for future travel related to accessible automated vehicles and services.
  • Aim 2: Understand the needs of Users and Providers: We will conduct surveys, focus groups, and journey mapping of stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, their travel companions and/or caregivers, designers, medical providers, and mobility service experts (e.g. vehicle manufacturers and modifiers, as well as adaptive driving training instructors). The survey will be refined using pilot surveys, focus groups and journey mapping and then distributed broadly to all key stakeholders.
  • Aim 3: Data synthesis, extrapolation, analysis and modeling: We will synthesize the data obtained to understand the current and future needs of potential stakeholders of accessible automated transportation and services. This will involve presenting summary survey findings, extrapolating findings to the greater population of potential automated vehicle users, combining our data with publicly available datasets to understand factors that influence travel, displaying clusters of users based on their characteristics and needs, and ideation and development of solid models that illustrate key features and parameters for implementing automated vehicles and mobility services.
  • Aim 4: Impact on Transportation System and Its Users: The ASPIRE Center, through its projects and activities, will provide a road-map for manufacturers and transportation system providers that is responsive to the needs of people with disabilities and demonstrates a path forward for the integration of accessible automated vehicles and mobility services. Through engaging and energizing stakeholders, the ASPIRE Center will create a community of practice that accelerates accessible automated vehicles and mobility services in an inclusive manner, which will be beneficial to the plurality of stakeholders and sensitive and responsive to the needs of edge users.

Center Outcomes

Quarterly Progress Reports

State of the Science Symposium

Voice of the Consumer & Voice of the Provider Surveys

UTC Spotlight Newsletter

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications

Articles Written for the Public

Contribution to National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Report

Presentations and Panels

  • PAVE/USDOT Webinar "AVs for All: Inspiring Solutions for Accessible Design”
  • Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Disability History Consortium “Exclusion to Autonomy: The History & Future of Accessible Transportation”.
  • PennDot Task Force Meeting
  • Round-table discussion with Finch Fulton, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation Policy for the U.S. DOT.
  • Pittsburgh Technology Council- “Business As Usual”
  • Disability News Report- “The Future of Self Driving Cars for People with Disabilities” https://disabilitynewsreport.tv/reports/the-future-of-self-driving-cars-for-people-with-disabilities/
  • American Public Transportation Association (APTA)- "Update on FTA Transit Automation Research Initiatives"
  • Oakland Transportation Management Association- Oakland for All 2021
  • Third Annual National Mobility Summit of US DOT University Transportation Centers, Innovating Mobility for All- Poster Session
  • 2021 American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania Spring Conference
  • Automated Road Transportation Symposium (ARTS21)
  • LABS Conference ,Semi-Autonomous Mobility (SAM)- moderated discussion with Sam Schmidt (Former Indy Car Racer), and now Indy Car Team partner with ARROW McLaren SP
  • National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) Conference Keynote "Rolling Disruptors" panel, Columbus, Ohio, January 15, 2022
  • ADED Conference, Columbus, Ohio, January 16, 2022
  • CATM Virtual Research Symposium 2022

 

Photo of a person using an automated vehicle smartphone application to drive their car

News

WIPO Magazine

INSIGHT Into Diversity

SIGMA XI – The Scientific Research Honor Society

Rory A. Cooper, Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2021 Sigma Xi John P. McGovern Science and Society Award. The McGovern Award has recognized achievements by a scientist or engineer that transcend their career as a researcher.  

2022 IEEE Technical Field Awards Recipients

IEEE Biomedical Engineering Award, Rory A. Cooper.

UPMC Physician Journal: Episode 103: Developing Assistive Devices to Enhance Independence

Brad Dicianno, MD featured.

Two Honored with Pennsylvania Veterans Service Awards

Drs. Cooper and Grindle receive medals from Commonwealth.

Community Service – Human Engineering Research Laboratories

PN Magazine, July 2021

Let's Talk Autonomous Driving

US Department of Transportation's 35th Anniversary Celebration of the Air Carrier Access Act

Here and Now, WBUR/National Public Radio

Veterans Health Administration Chief of Staff's "Chats with the Chief"

Advisory Members

Lawrence Williams (Merlin Mobility, Inc.), Accessible Automated Vehicle Expert
Ryan Klem (Toyota Mobility Foundation of North America), Transportation, Vehicle, and Mobility Expert
John L. Tague, Jr. (JT Disability Consulting Services, LLC), Accessible Transportation Expert
Lee Page (Paralyzed Veterans of America), Accessible Transportation Expert
Amy Schoppman (National Mobility Equipment Dealers of North America), Accessible Vehicle Expert
William Chernicoff (Toyota Mobility Foundation of North America), Transportation and Vehicle Expert
Jon Duvall (US Department of Veterans Affairs - Pittsburgh Healthcare System), Engineering, Accessible Transportation Use, and Research
Nahom Beyene (Navity, Inc. and RAND), Mobility Services Expert
Bob Mitchell (Autonomous Transportation Consultant), Engineering, Design, Regulatory Issues
George Coulston (Innovation Institute, University of Pittsburgh), Technology Transfer and Start-ups
Hillary Roman (City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County), Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator
Diana Cooper (Hyundai Motors), Accessible Automated Vehicle Expert
Carol Wright (Easterseals, Inc.), Accessible Transportation Expert
Kevin Frayne (BraunAbility), Accessible Transportation Expert