Danielle Wood

A Comparison of the Effect of a Low to Moderately Demanding Cognitive Task on Simulated Driving Performance and Heart Rate in Middle Aged and Young Adult Drivers

The goal of this study was to assess heart rate and driving performance while middle age and younger adults engaged in a naturalistic hands free phone task that was structured to place objectively equivalent cognitive demands on all participants. Although heart rate measures have been used in evaluating driver workload, prior studies had not compared responses in middle age and younger adults. Younger and middle age subjects performed equally well on the cellular telephone task. Middle age subjects drove more slowly overall and, as a group, did not demonstrate heart rate acceleration in response to the phone conversation that was seen in younger drivers. Both age groups showed a drop in speed control during the task. Late middle age adults appear as capable as young adults of managing the additional workload of a low to moderately demanding cognitive task while driving.

International Collaboration on Satellite-Enabled Projects in Developing Countries

There is great potential for satellite technology to meet needs in developing countries. This study investigates ninety case studies of satellite‐enabled activities in Africa. The activities all involve at least one of the following three satellite technologies: communication, remote sensing or navigation. A review of the case studies suggests that the majority of the satellite‐enabled activity in Africa is the result of collaboration or contracting between African and external partners. Such collaboration often involves technology transfer to Africa. The case studies are analyzed along several parameters, including technical achievement and the source of funding, expertise or initiative. These parameters show the extent and source of technology transfer within the project. Several projects are highlighted to provide concrete examples. The observations from this study lead to recommendations for the structuring of future technology transfer programs that aim to help developing countries use satellite tech...