Heading_1-RtCol
Paragraph Nibh euismod tincidunt; ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat ut wisi enim. Quinta decima eodem modo typi qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari fiant sollemnes.
Michael Rakauskas
Research Associate, HumanFIRST Program
Office: Room L-103 Mechanical Engineering
Phone: 612-624-4614
E-mail: mickr@me.umn.edu
The focus of Michael Rakauskas’ research is to reduce crashes and fatalities by improving the design of road environments and discovering ways to reduce driver impairment. He has led a number of studies evaluating driving performance when affected by alcohol intoxication or distractions such as phone conversations, information seeking, and common in-vehicle tasks. His current work aims to explore perceptions of speed as affected by environmental factors such as roadside objects or other vehicles. Mick has also worked on a number of other topics including the development and implementation of ITS technology to prevent crashes at high risk rural intersections; the design of visualizations and warnings to raise driver awareness of the road environment; nighttime pedestrian visibility; and safety cultures of rural and urban populations.
Mick is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Minnesota with a focus on Human Factors in Design.He obtained his masters degree in Human Factors, Applied Psychology at Clemson University, SC. He is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and a young member of the TRB Committee on User Information Systems (AND20).
Selected publications
Car following performance during conventional distractions and alcohol intoxication. M.E. Rakauskas, N.J. Ward, E. Boer, E. Bernat, M. Cadwallader, C. Patrick. Accident Analysis and Prevention (under review).
Concept Evaluation of Intersection Decision Support (IDS) Systems to Support Drivers' Gap Acceptance Decisions at Rural Stop-Controlled Intersections. J.I. Creaser, M.E. Rakauskas, N.J Ward, J.C. Laberge, M. Donath, Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour 10, 2007.
Design of an Intersection Decision Support (IDS) Interface to Reduce Crashes at Rural Stop-Controlled Intersections. J.C. Laberge, J.I. Creaser, M.E. Rakauskas, N.J Ward. Transportation Research Part C 14, 2006.
Driving performance during 511 information retrieval: Cell phone 2. M.E. Rakauskas, N.J. Ward. Mn/DOT Report 2007-48, 2007.
Driving performance during cell phone conversation and common in-vehicle tasks while sober and drunk. M. Rakauskas, N. Ward, E. Bernat, M. Cadwallader, D. de Waard, Mn/DOT Report 2005-41, 2005.
Evaluation of a DGPS driver assistive system for snowplows and emergency vehicles. M. Rakauskas, , N. Ward, A. Gorjestani, C. Shankwitz, M. Donath. In G. Underwood (Ed.), Traffic and Transport Psychology. Elsever Ltd., 2005.
Effects of naturalistic cell phone conversation on driving performance. M. Rakauskas, L. Gugerty, N. Ward. Journal of Safety Research 35(4): 453–464, 2004.
Effects of remote and in-person verbal interactions on verbalization rates and attention to dynamic spatial scenes. L. Gugerty, M. Rakauskas, J. Brooks. Accident Analysis and Prevention 36(6): 1029–1043, 2004.
Road Departure Crash Warning (RDCW) system simulator study analysis. M. Rakauskas, N. Ward. HumanFIRST Program, University of Minnesota, 2005.
Rural and urban safety cultures: Human-centered interventions toward zero deaths in rural Minnesota. M.E. Rakauskas, N.J. Ward, S.G. Gerberich, B.H. Alexander. Mn/DOT Report 2007-41, 2007.
A simulator-based evaluation of smart infrastructure concepts for intersection decision support for rural thru-STOP intersections. J.I. Creaser, M.E. Rakauskas, N.J. Ward, J.C. Laberge, Mn/DOT Report 2007-31, 2007.
System performance and human factors evaluation of the driving assistive system (DAS). M. Rakauskas, N. Ward, C. Shankwitz, A. Gorjestani, M. Donath. Mn/DOT Report 2004-09, 2003.
System performance and human factors evaluation of the driving assistive system (DAS): Supplemental track test evaluation. M. Rakauskas, N. Ward, C. Shankwitz, A. Gorjestani, M. Donath. Mn/DOT Report 2004-12, 2003.