Released on September 5, 2013
Saskatchewan is partnering with Virginia Tech, the University of Saskatchewan and Canadian transportation ministries to host a major highway safety research project.
The Canadian Naturalistic Driving Study (CNDS) is sponsored by all of the federal, provincial and territorial transportation departments through the Council of Deputy Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety. Saskatoon was selected by a national committee as the location for Canada’s first study of this kind.
The study involves outfitting volunteers’ vehicles with cameras and sensors that will collect safety data over the next two years. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has been contracted to conduct the study, and began recruiting Saskatoon-area drivers earlier this summer. Examples of data uses include looking at how drivers are able to navigate curves, what behaviours they exhibit at intersections, typical highway speeds they travel and whether roadside signage is understood.
“This is a significant opportunity for Saskatchewan to assist transportation engineers across North America in building safer highways for all motorists,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. “Saskatchewan was chosen to take part in this North American study as it provides researchers with the ability to study drivers who use rural highways.”
“The advancements in technology have allowed us to gain more knowledge and insight about driver behaviour on roadways than we were able to obtain previously,” Group Lead with the Center for Vulnerable Road User Safety at Virginia Tech Dr. Charlie Klauer said. “Collecting driving data in Saskatchewan provides a unique opportunity to not only better understand drivers in Canada but also to compare drivers across North America and hopefully, worldwide.”
The CNDS is related to a growing number of similar studies being undertaken in the United States and abroad, and will make a significant contribution to advancing road safety research as well as a better understanding driver behaviour.
SGI is assisting Virginia Tech and the University of Saskatchewan with the volunteer recruitment process by sending letters to Saskatchewan drivers inviting them to participate in the study. Participation is strictly voluntary and rigorous protocols are in place to safeguard privacy.
While the provincial government is assisting researchers in recruiting participants, no government agency will have access to any personal information, including the names of volunteers.
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For more information, contact:
Steve Shaheen
Highways and Infrastructure
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-5641
Email: steve.shaheen@gov.sk.ca