Understanding how highway construction workers recognize hazards
Official title: Pilot Study to Investigate and evaluate Factors impacting Highway Construction Workers' Hazard Recognition Performance
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-10932095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how highway construction workers spot dangers on the job by using virtual reality to create realistic scenarios, with the aim of making their work environment safer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $49,014 |
| NIH project number | 5R03OH012606-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include highway construction workers and construction students who are actively engaged in or training for this field.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in highway construction or related fields may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the factors that affect how highway construction workers identify hazards in their work environment. Using virtual reality scenarios, the study will measure workers' hazard recognition performance through various metrics, including eye-tracking technology to analyze their visual search patterns. By collaborating with industry professionals, the research aims to create realistic simulations that reflect the challenges workers face on the job. The goal is to enhance workplace safety by understanding cognitive loads and improving hazard recognition skills.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety training and protocols for highway construction workers, potentially reducing accidents and fatalities.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in workplace safety, this specific approach using virtual reality and eye-tracking technology is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roofigari-Esfahan, Nazila — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Roofigari-Esfahan, Nazila
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.