Red Scientific

Applied research on driver attention

We study how in-vehicle technology and vehicle automation affect driver attention. The work runs on the road, on the test track and in the simulator, and it uses the same instruments we sell.

Research areas

Cognitive workload

With David Strayer’s laboratory at the University of Utah and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Joel Cooper helped develop a rating scale for cognitive distraction and applied it to voice assistants, smartphones and in-vehicle infotainment systems. The detection response task was a primary workload measure throughout (Strayer et al., 2015; Strayer et al., 2019b).

Interface evaluation

We measure the visual, manual and cognitive demand of touchscreens, voice interfaces and portable devices with the ISO test methods, and compare the results with the acceptance criteria in the NHTSA guidelines. Studies combine occlusion, eye tracking, the DRT and video coding of driver behavior (Strayer et al., 2019a; Cooper et al., 2020).

Vehicle automation

We instrumented the vehicles and analyzed driver behavior for a hybrid naturalistic study of drivers using Level 2 automation (Cooper et al., 2023). For the Utah Department of Transportation we studied rider trust in a low-speed automated shuttle (Carriero et al., 2020).

Researcher fitting an EEG cap to a participant seated in an instrumented car
Fig. 1 Preparing a participant for an on-road workload study.
Low-speed automated shuttle on a public street
Fig. 2 Automated shuttle from the Utah rider trust study.

Sponsors and collaborators

Joel Cooper’s research has been funded by the organizations below, as a principal or co-principal investigator, as a subcontractor, or as university research staff.

  • AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  • Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
  • Utah Department of Transportation
  • VicRoads, Australia

Collaborating institutions include the University of Utah and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

Selected publications

55 publications are listed here. The full record has 89, with more than 3,500 citations and an h-index of 26 on Google Scholar as of August 2026.

Google Scholar ORCID BibTeX CV as JSON Resume CV (PDF)

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, 90, 199–207. 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
  • 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), 1121–1124. 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
  • 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(1), 22–26. DOI

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 human–machine interface of advanced driver assistance technology. Transportation Research Record, 2672(37), 113–122. PDF DOI
  • 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, 2672(37), 94–100. DOI
  • Sanbonmatsu, D., Strayer, D. L., Yu, Z., Biondi, F., & Cooper, J. M. (2018). Cognitive underpinnings of beliefs and confidence in beliefs about fully automated 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 DOI
  • Biondi, F., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). Using a user-independent approach for automotive human–machine interface assessment. SAGE Research Methods Cases. SAGE Publications. PDF DOI
  • Motzkus, C. J., Getty, D. J., Campos, A., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2018). Utilizing a remote LED stimulus to concurrently measure cognitive and visual task demand. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 62(1), 1–5. PDF DOI
  • 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

  • Goethe, R. M., McCarty, M. M., & Cooper, J. M. (2017). Examining potential confounds in use of the detection response task for in-vehicle system evaluation. Transportation Research Record, 2663(1), 67–72. PDF 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

  • Biondi, F., Coleman, J., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2016). Average heart rate for driver monitoring systems. International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4(3/4), 282–291. PDF DOI
  • 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), 953–958. DOI
  • Strayer, D. L., Cooper, J. M., Turrill, J., Coleman, J., Medeiros-Ward, N., & Biondi, F. (2013). Measuring cognitive distraction in the automobile. 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. N., Cooper, J. M., & Strayer, D. L. (2009). Text messaging during simulated driving. Human Factors, 51(5), 762–770. DOI
  • 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? Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 48(19), 2213–2217. DOI

Collaboration

Working with us

We take on contract studies, subcontracts within larger programs, and instrumentation and data reduction for studies run by other laboratories.

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