Aaa Foundation For Traffic Safety

Programs: Research: in 2017, the foundation published 18 new traffic safety reports, and initiated 6 new research projects. The foundation funded, managed, and/or performed research in 2017 detailed in the following reports (in chronological order by date of publication): 2016 traffic safety culture index; american driving survey, 2015-2016; development of a novice driver training module to accelerate driver perceptual expertise; safety benefits of highway infrastructure investments; rates of motor vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths in relation to driver age, united states, 2014-2015; accelerating teen driver learning: anywhere, anytime training; older novice driver crashes in new jersey: informing the need for extending graduated driver licensing restrictions; utilization of driving rehabilitation among older adults: longroad analysis of the national health and aging trends study; frailty, physical function and driving status in older adults: longroad analysis of the national health and aging trends study; distracted driving behaviors and beliefs among older adults: a longroad analysis of the training, research, and education for driving safety study; visual and cognitive demands of using in-vehicle information systems; video-based onboard safety monitoring systems: leveraging large-truck technology and engineering to realize safety gains; lane departure warning systems: leveraging large-truck technology and engineering to realize safety gains; automatic emergency braking systems: leveraging large-truck technology and engineering to realize safety gains; air disc brakes: leveraging large-truck technology and engineering to realize safety gains; user, learning and perceptions of in-vehicle technologies, and vehicle adaptations among older drivers: a longroad study; the longitudinal research on aging drivers (longroad) study: understanding the design and methods; and musculoskeletal conditions and related driving reduction among older drivers: a longroad study. Foundation research findings are used to support national public awareness campaigns, such as national teen driver safety week and drowsy driving prevention week. They are also used to develop educational materials, and support advocacy efforts of aaa and other traffic safety advocacy organizations. All of these efforts are ultimately designed to influence and affect real world improvements in traffic safety. Foundation research has also supported our numerous partnerships in the transportation and safety communities. Foundation research staff presented the results of the foundation's research at several scientific meetings and conferences including the virginia traffic safety summit, the sleep 2017 annual meeting of the associated professional sleep societies, and the national conference on adolescent sleep, health, and school start times. Finally, in 2017 we initiated research projects designed to address examining motorists' experiences with, reactions to, and training needs for advanced driver assistance systems; enhancing the drug evaluation and classification program; identifying countermeasures to prescription and over-the-counter drug-impaired driving; developing state-by-state recommendations to improve data on drugged drivers; determining the scope of crashes in-vehicle safety technologies can prevent; and the examining the problem of hit-and-run crashes.

education and outreach: all research reports and findings produced by the aaa foundation are available online to the general public, free of charge. Additionally, the foundation produces complementary materials for each project so that visitors to the website can find key takeaways from each study. These may include fact sheets, abstracts, research briefs, infographics, etc. Although aaa foundation's online store permanently closed in 2016, few remaining traffic safety educational materials are still available to the general public upon request, at no cost. Additionally, the aaa foundation disseminates its research findings and safety messaging to key stakeholders and the general public, with the goal of effecting real-world change. In 2017, foundation research findings were presented at numerous conferences and events, such as the annual meetings of transportation research board, international driving symposium on human factors in driver assessment, training and vehicle design, and automated vehicles symposium. In 2017, the foundation released new research projects that helped aaa clubs speak with greater authority on important issues such as distracted driving, vulnerable road users and truck safety. The research resulted in six successful national media campaigns that generated over 530 million impressions. The abundant local and national exposure has helped the foundation and aaa brand emerge as a leader for traffic safety advocacy in homes across the country. The aaa foundation has provided outreach to a range of audiences, conducted through many events including conferences, forums and workshops. The aaa foundation participated in many conferences throughout 2017, including the transportation research board annual meeting, joint ite international annual meeting and exhibit and northeast transportation safety conference. Aaa foundation's presence at these conferences helped spread aaa foundation's research and mission to diverse audiences. On november 7 and 8, 2017, the aaa foundation and the university of utah hosted a forum to discuss and identify future research needs on the impact of vehicle technologies and automation for drivers and other transportation users. The event was attended by academics, automobile manufacturers and industry representatives, government agencies, advocacy groups and other research organizations. The main objectives of this forum were to: (a) gather representatives/experts from the research community, government, and industry to discuss and identify research needs/direction on the impact of vehicle technologies and automation for drivers and other transportation users, (b) develop a living document of research needs and share it with other stakeholders to improve coordination and encourage collaboration, (c) identify organizations that are willing to "adopt and make future resource commitments in one or more research areas, and (d) make connections and work together to help shape the future of vehicle technologies. On december 11, 2017, the aaa foundation held a stakeholder workshop at its washington, dc office to discuss research related to the topic of 'roadway systems and drivers. ' the purpose of the workshop was to facilitate the exchange of information among regional stakeholders active in the conduct or sponsorship of research or advocacy related to roadway systems and drivers, identify research needs and gaps, and identify potential collaborations to address those needs and gaps.