Effect of Electronic Devise Use on Pedestrain Safety

Synopsis: This is a Pre-Solicitation notice (synopsis) for a full and open competitive procurement in accordance with FAR Part 5.203; to provide notice of the Government's proposed contract action listed herein. Introduction: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the United States Department of Transportation, is responsible for reducing the number of injuries and deaths on highways resulting from vehicle crashes. In support of this mission, and the Secretary of Transportation's emphasis on distracted driving NHTSA has a requirement to study the role distraction(both pedestrian and driver) plays in pedestrian-involved vehicle crashes. Background: The Secretary of Transportation's emphasis on distracted driving has brought this issue to the forefront. Little is known about the role distraction (both pedestrian and driver) plays in pedestrian-involved motor vehicle crashes. Over the last decade, there has been tremendous growth in the use of portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, iPads, iPods, and Kindles, by both drivers and pedestrians. Although the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) includes a measure of driver hand-held and hands-free cell phone use, and driver text messaging/visibly manipulating hand-held devices, there is no similar representative measure for pedestrian device use. This project meshes the Secretary's initiative on distracted driving and the NHTSA Administrator's focus on pedestrian safety to investigate the extent to which electronic devices are used by pedestrians and drivers when interacting on the roadway and the magnitude of the involvement of electronic device use in pedestrian/motor vehicle conflicts. Research is limited on the impact of pedestrian device use on pedestrian distraction and resulting motor vehicle crashes. Although a number of simulator studies have been conducted, these studies focus mainly on the extent of distraction caused by electronic devices and do not include measures of prevalence or crash rates. Additional studies have investigated the effects of electronic device use on distraction in naturalistic environments. The goal of this pilot project is to determine if distraction and electronic device use by pedestrians and drivers significantly impacts pedestrian safety. Objective: The objectives of this study are to: 1) Conduct a literature review of studies that have investigated pedestrian distraction including electronic device use and detail the role distraction on the part of pedestrians and/or drivers plays in pedestrian/motor vehicle conflicts. 2) Conduct naturalistic observations to quantify distraction including electronic device use by pedestrians and motor vehicle drivers when interacting. 3) (Optional task - After accessing the availability of data and feasibility of analysis) Analyze pedestrian/motor vehicle crash data to quantify the extent to which electronic device use by either the pedestrian or driver is involved and to determine crash typology. Solicitation Information: The Government contemplates that a Time and Material type Contract with a period of performance not to exceed forty eight (48) months will be awarded. The forthcoming solicitation and any related documents to this procurement will only be available electronically for download at https://www.fedbizopps.gov referenced by the solicitation number (DTNH22-13-R-00711). The anticipated issuance date of the forthcoming solicitation is on or about April 16, 2013. However, it is the Offeror's sole responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential Offerors will also be solely responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any), as well as other related documents. NO FURTHER PROCUREMENT INFORMATION IS AVALABLE AT THIS TIME.