Work Zone Worker Alert Systems via a VR-Based Human-in-the-Loop Simulation

This research addresses work zone safety hazards through human-in-the-loop Virtual Reality simulation to evaluate alert system effectiveness for worker protection, motivated by the tragic March 2023 Maryland incident that killed six workers. The study employs VR-based simulation where participants act as work zone flaggers to empirically assess how different alert modalities affect worker reaction times and safety compliance during hazardous events. The methodology adapts existing UC-win/Road driving simulation models from driver perspective to worker first-person viewpoint, incorporating repeatable errant vehicle scenarios for standardized stimulus delivery. A within-subjects experimental design exposes participants to five alert conditions including no alert control, visual warning with flashing beacon, audio alarm, haptic vibrating controller feedback, and combined multimodal alerts. Alert scenarios are paired with auditory, visual, and haptic distraction conditions to test robustness under realistic work environment challenges. Data collection includes pre-simulation demographic and safety attitude surveys, objective reaction time and compliance measurement during simulation, and post-simulation feedback on alert effectiveness and simulation realism. Statistical analysis using repeated measures ANOVA compares performance across scenarios, synthesizing quantitative results with qualitative survey feedback for comprehensive human factors understanding.

• Record URL:
  • https://smartercenter.org/smarter-utc-research-projects-work-zone-worker-alert-systems-via-vr-based-simulation/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $147,542.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348303

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Safety and Mobility Advancements Regional Transportation and Economics Research Center

  Morgan State University
  Baltimore, MD  United States 

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Morgan State University

  1700 E. Coldspring Lane
  Baltimore, Maryland  United States  21251
• Performing Organizations:

  Morgan State University

  1700 E. Coldspring Lane
  Baltimore, Maryland  United States  21251
• Principal Investigators:

  Jeihani, Mansoureh

  Chang, Daeyeol

• Start Date: 20250701
• Expected Completion Date: 20260630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis of variance; Flaggers; Simulation; Statistical analysis; Virtual reality; Warning systems; Work zone safety
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01969001
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Regional Transportation Equity Research Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348303
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Oct 20 2025 4:15PM