Research

Our Focus

Red Scientific conducts applied human factors research with an emphasis on understanding attention in real-world settings. Our primary focus is driver attention and distraction—critical factors in road safety.

We combine rigorous scientific methodology with practical applications, developing both the research protocols and the measurement tools needed to advance the field.

Research Areas

Driver Distraction

Investigating how various factors—from in-vehicle technology to external stimuli—affect driver attention and performance. Our work helps inform guidelines and standards for safer vehicle interfaces.

Visual Attention

Using visual occlusion techniques to understand how drivers allocate visual attention during complex tasks. This research has direct applications for display design and HMI development.

Cognitive Load

Measuring cognitive demands through detection response tasks (DRT) and other validated methods. Understanding mental workload helps design systems that keep drivers focused on the road.

Autonomous Vehicles

Studying human factors in automated driving systems—from trust and acceptance to takeover performance and situation awareness during transitions of control.

Methodology Development

Contributing to the development and validation of research methods and measurement standards. Our devices are designed to meet ISO standards for attention measurement.

Research Partners & Sponsors

We have an established track record of partnerships with leading organizations in transportation safety research.

Publications & Presentations

Our research has been presented at major conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. See our publications page for selected work, or visit Joel Cooper's Google Scholar profile for a complete list.