Project title: Situation awareness during the live operation of remote vehicles

Primary supervisor: Prof. Polly Dalton

Second supervisor: Dr Szonya Durant

University: Royal Holloway, University of London, Department of Psychology

SeNSS Pathway: Psychology

Collaborative partner: Transport Research Laboratory UK

Collaborative partner supervisor: Dr Shaun Helman

Degree structure: Either a three-year PhD programme (+3), or a one-year Masters degree, followed by a three-year PhD programme (1+3)

Project background

Driverless cars will need to be operated remotely under some circumstances. For example, a remote human operator may need to take over control when a problem arises that challenges the vehicle’s driving software (such as a person temporarily directing traffic with hand signals, or unusual weather conditions such as fog). The remote operator will need to control the car, potentially in busy traffic, using information conveyed “second hand” from the scene. This project examines the factors influencing situation awareness in these contexts. These are now urgent research priorities given the likelihood that autonomous vehicles will soon become widespread.


The project will be based on Royal Holloway, University of London’s beautiful campus close to London. The Department of Psychology has an excellent research reputation including an active postgraduate research community and cutting edge facilities. It was ranked joint third among UK psychology departments in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. TRL is an internationally recognised centre of excellence providing world-class research, consultancy and product testing, covering all aspects of transport. TRL has access to a range of dedicated facilities including advanced driving simulators.

 

Project aims and objectives

The project aims to investigate situation awareness (SA) in real-time with participants who are remotely controlling real vehicles (in contrast to the simulation approaches used by much of the current work). In addition, because remote operation is likely to become a skilled activity in which operators are trained and become highly practiced, there is a pressing need to understand the ways in which remote SA might change with increasing expertise. The project will also seek to address this issue. These questions have relevance for the psychological understanding of SA, in examining the processes whereby mental models of remote situations are developed and updated, and in clarifying the types of information that are both necessary for and desirable in supporting these processes. The research will also have clear real-world engineering applications, in informing the design of the interfaces for remote control operations that will be crucial to the successful introduction of autonomous vehicles to our roads.

Training opportunities

The project offers a wealth of training opportunities. Generic research training is available through Royal Holloway’s Researcher Development Programme (e.g. on ethics, presentation skills, writing strategies and job applications). Psychology-specific training can be accessed through the Department of Psychology’s Postgraduate Research Training Seminars (e.g. on data visualisation, eye tracking and grant writing). The supervisory team will also provide informal training in the specific techniques that are more closely related to the project (e.g. the specifics of the analyses required).

 

Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills

Although an MSc in a psychology-related subject is desirable, we welcome applications from those holding, or be predicted to achieve, a first class or 2.1 undergraduate degree or equivalent in Psychology or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in experimental design and statistical analysis. Some experience of video editing, computer programming, eye tracking and/or driving simulation would be advantageous.


Studentship details

This studentship will be taken as either a 1+3 year award (a one-year Masters followed by a three-year PhD) or a +3 award (a three-year PhD).

Residential eligibility

Home or international students are eligible for a fully-funded award (fees will be paid, and they receive a stipend/salary).

How to apply for this studentship

This competition is now closed.