CDT-SIS-430: Training implications for drivers of automated vehicles.

We are offering an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) to explore training implications of drivers of automated vehicles, funded by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on the Sustainable Infrastructure Systems Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Southampton.

The IAM system of vehicle control (IPSGA: Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) was developed for manually driven vehicles, but with the introduction of higher levels of automation, the nature of driving is changing from active control to passive monitoring and supervision. The aim of proposed doctoral thesis is to design, develop, test and validate a new system of automated vehicle control to supplement IPSGA when control of the vehicle is handed over to on-board computers and handed back to the human driver.

The research is planned for four years from the recruitment of a suitable student with anticipated start date no later than September/October 2018. In the first year the student will receive research skill training as part of the induction into the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) allowing for training in a broad range of multi-disciplinary collaborative skills to create future leaders for both industry and research. Full-time work on their doctoral research begins with the individual research project conducted over the summer of the first year. The CDT provides funding for four years and it is expected that CDT students submit within this time, however a nominal fifth year of candidature is provided at the end of the PhD for writing up if necessary. In addition to the thesis CDT students will work towards publication of their research in internationally leading journals and be provided the opportunity to present their findings in at least one relevant national or international conference per year.

Full funding is available for a UK or EU student. We are seeking a motivated candidate who has a strong background (Undergraduate or Masters or equivalent professional experience) in the field of Psychology, Ergonomics, or Human Factors. This must be demonstrated in their application.

The academic supervisors of this project are: Prof Neville Stanton, Dr Katie Plant and Dr Kirsten Revell.

For informal enquiries about the project please contact Dr Katie Plant ([Email Address Removed]) or for information about funding / academic eligibility please contact the graduate student office ([Email Address Removed])

This project is being run in participation with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Infrastructure Systems (View Website). For details of our 4 Year PhD programme and further projects, please see http://www.cdt-sis.soton.ac.uk/