Blind and low-vision individuals needed for transportation study

From: The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is recruiting individuals who are blind, legally blind, or have low-vision, and aged 18-80, to participate in a research study, at the Virginia Smart Roads facility in Blacksburg. The study involves participating, as a pedestrian, in one session lasting approximately two hours during daytime hours.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of external vehicle displays on an autonomous vehicle to pedestrians on the sidewalk. Participants will be asked to safely stand behind a barrier, as if a pedestrian on the sidewalk of a street.

As a research vehicle drives along the roadway at speeds up to 25 mph, participants may be asked to identify when they notice an approaching vehicle, and if and when they would cross the street. No volunteers will be asked to cross any street themselves. A trained experimenter will be present throughout the entire session on the closed-to-the-public test course.

This project provides compensation of $100 for full participation.

Please contact us at: 540-231-1277 or VTTIStudy@vtti.vt.edu

Reference “the Groot Study” in your message

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