RED SCIENTIFICHuman Factors Instruments
01 Research

Applied Research. Real-World Data.

We don't just follow the standards — we help write them.

15+ Years of Research
$7M+ Research Funding
3,400+ Citations
91 Publications

From the EasyMile autonomous shuttle to instrumented vehicle studies, Red Scientific delivers data that defines safety. With $7M+ in funded research and 91 publications, we bring both the methods and the measurement tools.

02 What We Do

Core Capabilities

Instrumented research vehicle

HMI & Interface Validation

Testing whether screens, dashboards, and infotainment systems meet safety thresholds. We use occlusion techniques, eye tracking, and standardized metrics to tell you exactly how much visual attention your interface demands, and whether it passes NHTSA and ISO criteria.

EEG measurement in vehicle

Mental Workload Profiling

Quantifying how hard your system makes the driver think. Using DRT, EEG, and multi-method approaches, we produce workload profiles that show exactly where cognitive demand spikes, so you can fix the design before it ships.

EasyMile Autonomous Shuttle

Trust & Handover in Automation

The hardest problem in L2/L3 driving isn't the algorithm, it's the human. We study how drivers build trust, lose vigilance, and handle takeover requests, then turn those findings into design guidance that keeps people safe during the transition.

03 Track Record

Research Partners & Sponsors

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

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
NHTSA
FHWA
UDOT
NASA
University of Utah
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
VicRoads Australia

Partner With Us

Need attention measurement expertise, custom instrumentation, or an experienced research partner for your next study? Let's talk about what you're trying to solve.

Get in Touch
04 Selected Work

Publications

91 publications, 3,400+ citations, h-index 26. See the Google Scholar profile for citation metrics, or ORCID for a verified publication record.

Google Scholar citation metrics ORCID verified record JSON Resume (CV) cv.json BibTeX cooper_publications.bib

2025

  • Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2025). Multitasking induced contextual blindness. Human Factors, 67(3), 225–245. [PDF] [DOI]

2024

  • Cooper, J. M. (2024). Driver attention insights using hybrid naturalistic-controlled research. 9th International Conference on Driver Distraction and Inattention. Dearborn, Michigan.
  • Lohani, M., Cooper, J. M., McDonnell, A. S., Erickson, G. G., Simmons, T. G., Carriero, A. E., ... & Strayer, D. L. (2024). Reliable but multi-dimensional cognitive demand in operating partially automated vehicles: implications for real-world automation research. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 9(1), 60. [DOI]
  • Biondi, F. N., McDonnell, A., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2024). Using the ISO Detection Response Task to measure the cognitive load of driving four separate vehicles on two distinct highways. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 102, 260–269. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Sanbonmatsu, D. M., Crabtree, K. W., McDonnell, A. S., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2024). Automated driving experiences, attention, and intentions following extensive on-road usage of a level 2 automation vehicle. Journal of Safety Research. [DOI]
  • McDonnell, A. S., Crabtree, K. W., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2024). This is your brain on Autopilot 2.0: The influence of practice on driver workload and engagement during on-road, partially automated driving. Human Factors, 66(8), 2025–2040. [DOI]

2023

  • Cooper, J. M., Crabtree, K. W., McDonnell, A. S., May, D., Strayer, S. C., Tsogtbaatar, T., Cook, D. R., Alexander, P. A., Sanbonmatsu, D. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2023). Driver behavior while using Level 2 vehicle automation: A hybrid naturalistic study. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 8(1), 71. [PDF] [DOI]
  • McDonnell, A. S., Simmons, T. G., Erickson, G. G., Lohani, M., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2023). This is your brain on autopilot: Neural indices of driver workload and engagement during partial vehicle automation. Human Factors, 65(7), 1435–1450. [DOI]
  • McDonnell, A. S., Crabtree, K. W., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2023). The influence of practice on driver workload and engagement during on-road, partially automated driving. Human Factors, 00187208231201054. [PDF]
  • Castro, S. C., Heathcote, A., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2023). Dynamic workload measurement and modeling: Driving and conversing. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 29(3), 645. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Sanbonmatsu, D. M., & McDonnell, A. S. (2023). A Multi Method Approach to Understanding Drivers' Experiences and Behavior Under Partial Vehicle Automation. Washington, D.C.: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (Technical Report). [PDF] [AAA]

2022

  • Cooley, E. H., Sanbonmatsu, D. M., Strayer, D. L., White, P. H., & Cooper, J. M. (2022). On-road vehicle study of the experience of automated driving. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 87, 444–453. [DOI]
  • McDonnell, A., Crabtree, K., Cooper, J., & Strayer, D. (2022). The influence of trust on driver cognitive states during automated driving. Psychophysiology, 59, S104–S105.
  • Strayer, D. L., Castro, S. C., Turrill, J., & Cooper, J. M. (2022). The persistence of distraction: The hidden costs of intermittent multitasking. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 28(2), 262. [PDF] [DOI]

2021

  • Biondi, F. N., Strayer, D. L., Horrey, W. J., Cooper, J. M., & Cort, J. A. (2021). Preface to the special section on measuring cognitive workload in human factors. Human Factors, 63(6), 1125. [DOI]
  • Boehm, U., Matzke, D., Gretton, M., Castro, S., Cooper, J., Skinner, M., ... & Heathcote, A. (2021). Real-time prediction of short-timescale fluctuations in cognitive workload. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 6(1), 1–29. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Lohani, M., Cooper, J. M., Erickson, G. G., Simmons, T. G., McDonnell, A. S., Carriero, A. E., ... & Strayer, D. L. (2021). No difference in arousal or cognitive demands between manual and partially automated driving: a multi-method on-road study. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 577418. [PDF] [DOI]
  • McDonnell, A. S., Imberger, K., Poulter, C., & Cooper, J. M. (2021). The power and sensitivity of four core driver workload measures for benchmarking the distraction potential of new driver vehicle interfaces. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 83, 99–117. [PDF] [DOI]
  • McDonnell, A. S., Simmons, T. G., Erickson, G. G., Lohani, M., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2021). Neural indices of driver workload and engagement during partial vehicle automation. Human Factors, 00187208211039091. [PDF]
  • Strayer, D. L., Getty, D., Biondi, F., & Cooper, J. M. (2021). The multitasking motorist and the attention economy. In S. M. Lane & P. Atchley (Eds.), Human Capacity in the Attention Economy (pp. 135–156). American Psychological Association. [PDF] [DOI]

2020

  • Carriero, A. E., Crabtree, K. W., Cooper, J. M., & Leonard, B. (2020). Rider trust and the role of the operator in automated shuttles. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 64(1), 1160–1164. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Lohani, M., Cooper, J. M., Erickson, G. G., Simmons, T. G., McDonnell, A. S., Carriero, A. E., ... & Strayer, D. L. (2020). Driver arousal and workload under partial vehicle automation: A pilot study. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 64(1), 1955–1959. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Lohani, M., Cooper, J., Erickson, G., Simmons, T., McDonnell, A., Carriero, A., ... & Strayer, D. (2020). Application of heart rate variability to assess arousal in semi-automated vehicles. Psychophysiology, 57, S45.
  • Cooper, J. M., Wheatley, C. L., McCarty, M. M., Motzkus, C. J., Lopes, C. L., Erickson, G. G., ... (2020). Age-related differences in the cognitive, visual, and temporal demands of in-vehicle information systems. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1154. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Sanbonmatsu, D. M., Erickson, G. G., Simmons, T. G., McDonnell, A. S., ... (2020). Driver's arousal and workload under partial vehicle automation. [PDF] [AAA]

2019

  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Goethe, R. M., McCarty, M. M., Getty, D. J., & Biondi, F. (2019). Assessing the visual and cognitive demands of in-vehicle information systems. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 4(1), 5. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Biondi, F. N., Getty, D., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2019). Examining the effect of infotainment auditory-vocal systems' design components on workload and usability. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 62, 520–528. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., McCarty, M. M., Getty, D. J., Wheatley, C. L., Motzkus, C. J., ... (2019). Visual and cognitive demands of CarPlay, Android Auto, and five native infotainment systems. Human Factors, 61(8), 1371–1386. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Lopes, C. L., Erickson, G. C., Cooper, J. M., Wheatley, C. L., & Strayer, D. L. (2019). Driven to comment: Learning from older drivers impressions of in-vehicle technologies. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 63. [DOI]
  • Boehm, U., Matzke, D., Gretton, M., Castro, S., Cooper, J., & Strayer, D. L. (2019). Real-time predictions of fluctuations in cognitive workload. PsyArXiv. [Published Version]

2018

  • Biondi, F., Getty, D. J., McCarty, M. M., Goethe, R., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). The challenge of advanced driver assistance systems assessment: A scale for the assessment of the HMI of advanced driver assistance technology. Transportation Research Record, 2672(37), 113–122. [PDF]
  • Getty, D. J., Biondi, F., Morgan, S., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). The effects of voice system design components on driver workload. Transportation Research Record. [DOI]
  • Sanbonmatsu, D., Strayer, D. L., Yu, Z., Biondi, F., & Cooper, J. M. (2018). Cognitive underpinnings of beliefs and confidence in beliefs about fully autonomous vehicles. Transportation Research Part F, 55, 114–122. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., McCarty, M. M., Getty, D. J., Wheatley, C. L., Campos, A., Motzkus, C., McKenzie, K., Loveless, S. M., Esplin, J., Goethe, R. M., & Biondi, F. (2018). Visual and cognitive demands of using Apple's CarPlay, Google's Android Auto, and five different OEM infotainment systems. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. [AAA]
  • Biondi, F. N., Lohani, M., Hopman, R. J., Mills, S., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). 80 MPH and out of the loop: Effects of real-world semi-automated driving on driver workload and arousal. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 62(1), 1878–1882. [PDF]
  • Biondi, F., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). Using a User-independent Approach for Automotive Human machine Interface Assessment. SAGE Publications Limited. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Motzkus, C. J., Getty, D. J., Campos, A., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). Reevaluating the DRT for concurrent measures of cognitive and visual demand. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 62(1), 1–5. [PDF]
  • Wheatley, C. L., Esplin, J., Loveless, S. M., Cooper, J. M., Biondi, F., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). Performance and workload trends: The effects of repeated exposure to "high" demand tasks. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 62(1), 6–10. [PDF] [DOI]

2017

  • Biondi, F., Coleman, J., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2017). Average heart rate for driver monitoring systems. International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Goethe, R. M., McCarty, M. M., & Cooper, J. M. (2017). Examining potential confounds in the use of the detection response task (DRT) for in-vehicle system evaluations. Transportation Research Record, 2663(1), 67–72. [PDF]
  • Biondi, F., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2017). Using a user-independent approach for automotive human-machine interface assessment. SAGE Research Methods: Psychology. [DOI]
  • Biondi, F., Goethe, R. M., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2017). Partial-autonomous frenzy: Driving a level-2 vehicle on the open road. Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics: Cognition and Design, 329–338. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Donnell, E., Porter, R. J., Zlatkovic, M., Cooper, J., Li, L., Strayer, D. L., & Lin, M. A. (2017). Indoor Simulator and Field Study Evaluation of Sequential Flashing Chevron Signs on Two-lane Rural Highways. Federal Highway Administration. [PDF]
  • Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2017). Using the DRT to measure visual and cognitive task loads. 5th International Conference on Driver Distraction and Inattention. Paris, France.
  • Strayer, D. L., Biondi, F., & Cooper, J. M. (2017). Dynamic workload fluctuations in driver/non-driver conversational dyads. Driving Assessment 2017: International Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment. [PDF] [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Goethe, R. M., McCarty, M. M., Getty, D., & Biondi, F. (2017). Visual and cognitive demands of using in-vehicle information systems. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. [PDF] [AAA]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Turrill, J., Coleman, J. R., & Hopman, R. J. (2017). The smartphone and the driver's cognitive workload: A comparison of Apple, Google, and Microsoft's intelligent personal assistants. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 71(2), 93. [PDF] [DOI]

2016 and earlier

  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Turrill, J., Coleman, J. R., & Hopman, R. J. (2016). Talking to your car can drive you to distraction. Cognitive Research: Principles & Implications, 1, 1–16. [DOI]
  • Cooper, J. M., Castro, S. C., & Strayer, D. L. (2016). Extending the detection response task to simultaneously measure cognitive and visual task demands. HFES Annual Meeting, 60(1), 1962–1966. [DOI]
  • Chrysler, S. T., Cooper, J., & Marshall, D. C. (2015). The cost of warning of unseen threats: Unintended consequences of connected vehicle alerts. Transportation Research Record, 2518(1), 79–85. [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., & Cooper, J. M. (2015). Driven to distraction. Human Factors, 57, 1343–1347. [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Turrill, J., Cooper, J. M., Coleman, J., Medeiros-Ward, N., & Biondi, F. (2015). Assessing cognitive distraction in the automobile. Human Factors, 57(8), 1300–1324. [DOI]
  • Medeiros-Ward, N., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2014). Hierarchical control and driving. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(3), 953. [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Turrill, J., Coleman, J., Medeiros-Ward, N., & Biondi, F. (2013). Measuring cognitive distraction in the vehicle. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. [AAA]
  • Cooper, J. M., Medeiros-Ward, N., & Strayer, D. L. (2013). The impact of eye movements and cognitive workload on lateral position variability in driving. Human Factors, 55(5), 1001–1014. [DOI]
  • Drews, F. A., Yazdani, H., Godfrey, C., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2009). Text messaging while driving. Human Factors, 51, 762–770.
  • Cooper, J. M., Vladisavljevic, I., Medeiros-Ward, N., Martin, P. T., & Strayer, D. L. (2009). An investigation of driver distraction near the tipping point of traffic flow stability. Human Factors, 51, 261–268. [DOI]
  • Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2008). Effects of simulator practice and real-world experience on cell-phone-related driver distraction. Human Factors, 50, 893–902. [DOI]
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., & Drews, F. A. (2004). What do drivers fail to see when conversing on a cell phone? HFES Annual Meeting. [DOI]