SEPTEMBER, 2012

DrivingLab (DL) formed in 2008, (Background) specializes in developing clinical and research applications for evaluating driver fitness and cognitive functioning utilizing driving simulation technology. DL’s expertise is in the areas of driving simulation scenario development and programming, human factors, vision/neuro-science, clinical OT/PT, data management (data analysis and data visualization), predictive modeling and research design.

Driving simulation is a dynamic system-level functional measure that has the advantage of placing drivers in risky situations without the consequences. It has high face and ecological validity and actively engages the same perceptual, cognitive and motor-control behaviors as actual on-road driving.

DL’s main focus is on developing standardized, validated driving simulation scenarios for assessing, treating and training older and novice drivers, and patients with a wide variety of conditions affecting cognitive functioning (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Sleep disorders and others). Simulation scenarios are developed from the “bottom-up,” in a way that maps specific task elements in the driving scenario to specific perceptual, cognitive and motor-control brain functions that determine driving behaviors. Driving behaviors are then used to provide feed-back to driver perception. The mapping functions  allow for establishing testable hypotheses to validate the efficacy of scenarios for assessment and treatment alternatives in patients with cognitive impairments. Other uses include clinical trials and driver re-training during neuro-recovery after brain injury.

This web site is a work in continuous evolution and will serve as a portal to:

  1. •DL’s   R&D, clinical, and research activities

  2. •The utility of driving simulation in clinical  and research settings

  3. •A guide to the driving simulation  and driver fitness literature

  4. •Links to other research, clinical and R&D sites for driving simulation and driver fitness


Webmaster: peter@drivinglab.com

SEPTEMBER, 2012