Federal Research Projects

October 20, 2025

Predicting High-Risk Drivers: Skills Examination and Scoring Guidelines (BTS-16)

The objective of this research is to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of the current on-road driver skills tests and test scoring methods and develop guidance that include methods for on-road driver skills test administration and scoring that predicts high safety risk.

October 9, 2025

Objectives, Components, and Measures of Effective Traffic Safety Public Awareness and Education Efforts (BTS-18)

A better understanding of how to engage road users effectively in such campaigns and ways to measure effectiveness would help create successful and sustainable initiatives.

September 24, 2025

Teen Driving Performance Associated with Distraction, ADHD, and Other Risk Factors (BTS-28)

This research report examines how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can impact distraction and driving safety in teens, using naturalistic driving study data to analyze the frequency of eyes-off-the-road (EOR) instances.

June 24, 2025

Assessing Effects of Speed Camera Programs on Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes (BTS-47)

This project will explore how speed camera programs effect pedestrian and bicycle crashes, including downstream effects beyond speed camera locations.

June 24, 2025

Overcoming Challenges to Enforcement of Micromobility Traffic Laws and Reporting of Micromobility Crashes (BTS-46)

This project will look at the challenges law enforcement face in managing micromobility-related incidents and develop ideas to improve practices.

June 24, 2025

Quantifying Effectiveness of Behavioral Countermeasures to Develop Crash Modification Factors (BTS-45)

This project will develop a methodology to evaluate behavioral traffic safety countermeasures, with a focus on the potential to applying crash modification factors (CMFs) to safety projects.

June 24, 2025

Causal Factors Associated with Higher Crash Rates Among Young Drivers that Delay Licensure (BTS-44)

This project seeks to identify why drivers who delay licensure until age 18+ have higher crash risks and whether driver training and-or GDL requirements can reduce this risk.

June 24, 2025

Effects of Pre-hospital Blood Programs and Improved EMS Response Time on the Risk of Motor Vehicle Crash Mortality (BTS-43)

This project will seek to verify the estimate that 40 percent of people killed in motor vehicle crashes were alive at the scene and determine if improvements in pre-hospital care would increase survivability.

April 15, 2025

Outcomes of Variability in Teen Driving Experience and Exposure: Evidence from the Naturalistic Driving Study (BTS-23)

The analysis considered changes in driver behavior and subsequent crash risk, and includes recommendations/strategies for improving teen driver safety.

January 1, 2025

The Future of Automated Traffic Enforcement and Public Acceptance (BTS-42)

The objectives of this research are to conduct a comprehensive assessment of automated traffic law enforcement to assist in the public policy discussion of the future of traffic enforcement across the nation and develop a toolkit for state highway safety offices and other stakeholders.

January 1, 2025

The Future Use of Law Enforcement Personnel and Traffic Safety Enforcement (BTS-41)

The objective of this research is to provide public policy guidance for decision makers on the role of law enforcement in traffic safety enforcement.

January 1, 2025

Workplace-Based Approaches to Improve Driver Behavior and Reduce Crashes (BTS-40)

The objectives of this research are to identify resources that utilize countermeasures proven most effective in raising awareness of the risk of motor vehicle crashes both on and off the job and provide actionable program tools.