HUMAN PERFORMANCE LABORATORY Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering University Of Massachusetts, Amherst

The Younger Driver:
Risk Awareness and Perception Training

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This page contains version 2.0 of the Risk Awareness and Perception Training Program (RAPT).

Instructions for download:

1. The Training Program is a single executable file named RAPT2.exe. The file size is approx. 12 MB. The Training Program is designed for use on PCs with MS Windows. 

2. Select the "Save" option and save the file on your computer, in a location that you will remember. Preferably, create a new folder and save the file in it.

3. In order to download the file, please click on the link below

4. Depending on your browser, a window should pop up asking you if you would like to "Run" the file or to "Save" the file (or equivalent options).

Click Here to Download (MS Windows Version)

Instructions for Use:

1. Locate the downloaded file on your hard drive.
2. Double click on the file (RAPT2.exe) to start the program.
3. You will see a welcome screen. Please follow the instructions and complete the training program.
4. The program should take you about 30-45 minutes to complete.  The training is most effective if you complete the program in one sitting.  The program does allow you to exit part way through the training and then return to it and complete it later, though doing so may make the training less effective. 
5. After completing the program, you will find that two files (with the extension .rpt) have been created in the same folder where the main executable file exists. If you would like to see your performance, please email the files to hpl@ecs.umass.edu along with some information about yourself such as name, age, sex, and how long you have had your driving license or learners' permit.
6. If you encounter any problems or errors while running the program, please send an email to hpl@ecs.umass.edu along with any relevant information such as, error number (if any), computer configuration, sequence of steps that bring about the error and any other information that you would consider helpful in troubleshooting.

Information and Disclaimer:

This program is the second (2.0) of the Risk Awareness and Perception Training program which was developed at the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts.  The program is currently being researched and may be further modified in time depending on results of various studies.  The program has shown encouraging results so far, specifically that according to our metrics (eye-glance behavior of drivers), drivers who have completed this training program show significant improvement in risk perception (as indexed by fixations on pre-determined areas of potential risk) in both simulator studies and field studies.  

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Relevant References:

• Fisher, D. L., Pradhan, A. K., Hammel, K. R., DeRamus, R., Noyce, D. A. and Pollatsek, A. P. (2003). Are younger drivers less able than older drivers to recognize risks on the road? Injury Insights, February/March, 1,2,7.

• Pradhan, A.K., Hammel, K.R., DeRamus, R., Noyce, D.A., Pollatsek, A. and Fisher, D.L. (January 2003). The Use of Eye Movements to Evaluate the Effects of Driver Age on Risk Perception in an Advanced Driving Simulator. 82nd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting CD-ROM, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C. 

• Fisher, D. L., Narayanaan, V., Pradhan, A.K. and Pollatsek, A. (2004). Using Eye Movements in Driving Simulators to Evaluate Effects of PC-Based Risk Awareness Training. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting, New Orleans. Sept 20-24, 2266-2270.

• Pradhan, A. K., Hammel, K. R., DeRamus, R., Pollatsek, A., Noyce, D. A. and Fisher, D. L (2005). The Use of Eye Movements to Evaluate the Effects of Driver Age on Risk Perception in an Advanced Driving Simulator. Human Factors, Winter 2005, volume 47, no 4, 840-852. 

• Pradhan, A. K., Fisher, D.L. and Pollatsek, A. (2005). The Effects of PC-Based Training on Novice Drivers' Risk Awareness in a Driving Simulator. 3rd International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training, and Vehicle Design, Rockport, Maine, June 2005.

• Pollatsek, A., Narayanaan, V., Pradhan, A. K. and Fisher, D. L. (2005). The Use of Eye Movements to Evaluate a PC-Based Risk Awareness and Perception Training (RAPT) Program on an Advanced Driving Simulator. Human Factors, Fall 2006, Volume 48, Number 3, 447-464. 

• Pradhan, A. K., Fisher, D. L. and Pollatsek, A. (2006). Risk Perception Training for Novice Drivers: Evaluating Duration of Effects on a Driving Simulator. 85th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting CD-ROM, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C. 

• Pradhan, A.K., Fisher, D.L., Pollatsek, A., Knodler, M. and Langone, M. (2006). Field Evaluation of a Risk Awareness and Perception Training Program for Younger Drivers. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 50th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, Oct 16-20. 

• Pradhan, A.K., Pollatsek, A., Knodler, M.A. and Fisher, D.L. (2008) Can Novice Drivers be Trained to Scan for Information Which Will Reduce Their Risk in Roadway Traffic Scenarios That are Hard to Identify as Hazardous? Ergonomics (Accepted).

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All material from the Human Performance Laboratory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Copyrighted by the University of Massachusetts on 03/13/06;  No duplication is allowed and no material can be used without direct permission of the University of Massachusetts.

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Last Update Sept 23, 2008
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