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This paper describes the application of human factors research tools to the design of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). A key issue in the conduct of human factors research for ITS is to select a research tool that provides the desired design information at the lowest technical risk and lowest cost. Below, we describe three studies that addressed human performance issues associated with ITS, each using tools that were selected on the basis of explicit research objectives. Using the appropriate research tools will allow the human factors professional to meet the needs of ITS designers and developers and, most important of all, the drivers who will benefit from these systems.

A suite of cockpit navigation displays for low-visibility airport surface operations has been designed by researchers at NASA Ames Research Center following a human-centered process. This paper reports on the final research effort in this process that examined the procedural integration of these technologies into the flight deck. Using NASA Ames' high-fidelity Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator, eighteen airline crews completed fourteen low-visibility (RVR 1000′) land-and-taxi scenarios that included both nominal (i.e., hold short of intersections, route amendments) and off-nominal taxi scenarios designed to assess how pilots integrate these technologies into their procedures and operations. Recommendations for integrating datalink and cockpit displays into current and future surface operations are provided.