The “French institute of science and technology for transport, development and networks” (Ifsttar) is a public research institution , born on January 1st 2011 from the merger of The French National Institute for Transport and Safety Research (INRETS) and the French Central Laboratory of Roads and Bridges (LCPC), under the joint supervision of the ministry of ecology, sustainable development and energy and the ministry of higher education and research. Ifsttar is involved in organising, executing and assessing technological research and development of transport systems from a technical, economical and social viewpoint and participates to transport research training at the national, European and international level. Ifsttar is a major player in the European research on cities and territories, transportation and civil engineering. Ifsttar gathers more than 1000 employees, with about 62% males and 38% females. The Laboratory of Ergonomics and Cognitive Sciences applied to Transport (Lescot), from the Department Health & Safety, is working in the area of design and ergonomic evaluation of transport systems, gathering knowledge on Human Factors, analysing need and requirements of drivers and travellers in relation to Information and Communication Technology, developing methodological tools for task analysis and for ergonomic evaluation, creating knowledge database for modelisation and simulation, running strategic analysis of innovative ITS and socio economical issues. The laboratory owned two equipped vehicles, allowing conducting experiments in real road contexts as well as on a dedicated track. A driving simulator allows to conduct experiment in control and protected environment and to test risky situations through scenarios tailored by the technical team.
Research activities cover:
− Knowledge of the users and their practices of transport to improve safety and comfort: analyze the driving activity and the mechanisms of driving adaptation, study the cognitive mechanisms involved in the driving activity and their dysfunctions (connected a cognitive overload, an emotional state).
− Support for the design of ADAS & VIS systems for drivers (users needs, design, safety evaluation): modelisation and simulation human-machine interactions, evaluation of the effect of the assisting technologies on safety and comfort.