Human Factors: Understanding Driver Response

This course offers the collision reconstructionist insight into the complexities of perception/reaction time" beyond the often over-simplified and often misapplied notion of "it's about 1.5 seconds, as an average." Those attending this course are exposed to studies, tests and experiments which demonstrate that human perception of roadway hazards and then the decision making process that follows is truly a fascinating and complex process and that blindly applying some arbitrary and often unsupported "single point" average leads to unsupported conclusions. The course instructor, Jeff Muttart, well known for his meticulous research in this area is also the author of the Drive3 computer program designed to evaluate this process.

Major course topics include:

  • What is PRT (perception-reaction, perception-response, or something else…it makes a difference.
  • What Perception and Reaction Time (PRT) is (most people think they know what it is but really do not)
  • How do you calculate PRT under varying conditions?
  • When you cannot and should not calculate PRT
  • How to utilize the PRT calculations in time and distance calculations.

Each student will receive a binder with the course presentation and a CD with at least 20 relevant driver response studies. They will also become a certified in the use of DRIVE3. All attendees will become registered users of DRIVE3. Since the course material includes in-depth exposure to the Drive3 program, having a laptop computer is beneficial; however, students who did not bring a computer found that by doing hand calculations (with a calculator), they better understood the calculations involved. At a minimum then, those attending should have a scientific calculator on hand for the course. Specifics of the course outline and topics can be found at: http://www.accidentdynamics.com/drive3training.htm

Tuition: $495 (USD)
Instructor: Jeff Muttart, MA, ACTAR #96

Upcoming Courses:

No courses currently scheduled - watch for updates
Contact us to schedule this class at your location. (858) 484-9795