HumanFIRST Laboratory
The HumanFIRST (Human Factors Interdisciplinary Research in Safety and Transportation) Laboratory employs the tools and methods of psychology and human factors engineering to improve scientific understanding of driver performance and cognitive functions.
The HumanFIRST Laboratory is a facility of the University of Minnesota's Department of Mechanical Engineering. It is also affiliated with the Roadway Safety Institute, the Region 5 University Transportation Center.
Our Research
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Integrated technologies designed to improve transportation systems with respect to safety and mobility.
Learn More about intelligent transportation systems research projects
Driver Behavior & Performance
Driver performance, influences of impairment caused by distraction, age, alcohol, or fatigue, and driver responses to safety interventions.
Learn More about driver behavior and performance research projects
At-Risk Road Users
Unique safety issues experienced by road-user populations such as teen and elderly drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Learn More about research projects focusing on at-risk road users
Roadway Engineering, Education & Enforcement
Research and applications in transportation engineering, road user education, and enforcement.
HumanFIRST in the News
- Distracted driving is as dangerous a crisis today as impaired driving was decades ago. What are Canadians doing about it?
- University researchers using bike alert system to examine bicyclist safety
- Getting up to speed on the new hands-free phone law
- Talking roadway safety and the new hands-free law with U of M
- How much safer does the new hands-free law make our roads?
- Pedestrians would benefit from lower speed limits on MN city streets
- KMOJ Radio Interview: Pedestrian safety with Nichole Morris
- The road ahead: Driverless vehicles and the future of smart mobility
- Streetsies 2018: The Best and Worst Transportation News
- UMN leads project to bring awareness to pedestrian fatalities
- More HumanFIRST news