AVT Driving Studies
FAQs for MIT AgeLab Vehicle Study
Who is eligible to participate?
Drivers aged 20-69 who regularly commute by car on the highway into and around the greater Boston area. They must have a clean driving record and be in generally good health. To be considered for the study, we will need to collect information (such as your social security number) in order to run a background and driving record check. At all times, your information will be treated in accordance with MIT’s CORI policy found here.
What types of vehicles are used in the study?
Current vehicles include the Cadillac CT6, Tesla Model 3, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cars are instrumented to collect video, audio, GPS, and vehicle telemetry (such as velocity, wheel position, state of alarms and active safety systems, etc.).
What is the process and time commitment?
The study will involve three appointments, one in-person and two over Zoom.
- First appointment (approximately 1 hour): Pre-experiment questionnaire; background check and driving record check
- Second appointment (approximately 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic): Training on the technologies in the vehicle, demonstration/test drive, and receiving the vehicle
- Final appointment (approximately 1-1.5 hours): Returning the vehicle, post-experiment questionnaire, and interview
What is the compensation for participating in the study?
- Full use of a new, high-end vehicle for 4 weeks
- Training on the advanced technologies available in the car
- Free use of an E-ZPass throughout your participation in the study
- $80 at completion of study
- A full tank of gas or full battery charge upon receiving the vehicle
How do I sign up?
To be considered for the study, please fill out our eligibility form here.
FAQs for the Naturalistic Driving Study
Who is eligible for this study?
Tesla Model 3 owners with Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability that regularly drive their vehicle.
What recording equipment will be put in the car?
All recording equipment is designed to be installed and removed without permanent modification to the study vehicle. The only equipment visible to you are the four cameras mounted in the cab of the vehicle and the data storage device, which is a small box in the far-left cubby of the trunk. (The non-visible equipment includes wires connecting to each camera and the diagnostic port of the vehicle to the data logger in the trunk.)
What is the process and time commitment?
The initial instrumentation takes most of a day. (You do not have to be present during this time.) After installation of the recording equipment, we will need access to your car once every few months depending on vehicle usage. Typically, these check-ins are less than 30 minutes.
Are you sharing my data with anyone?
We will only publish data or results of the study in aggregate form without any personally identifiable information. At times, we may find it helpful to present audio and/or video recordings at private academic workshops, in professional presentations, or in organizational meetings and communications. If we ever find that a portion of your audio and/or video recordings would be helpful to present in a public setting, we will show you the video we’d like to share and ask your permission before disseminating it.
What is the compensation for participating in the study?
We estimate that for a year of involvement, a primary driver’s compensation will be $1,000. Specifically, you will be compensated:
- $150 for the initial instrumentation
- $50 per month of participation
- $50 for every time we are permitted to access the vehicle
- $10 for completing each experimental questionnaire & $50 for each interview
- $200 for each eligible owner of a vehicle we are interested in, who you refer to the study and who signs up
How do I sign up?
Complete this eligibility form, and a research associate will be in touch with more information.