Applied Perception and Performance Laboratory

Students investigate how perception, aging and distraction affect performance in transportation systems. Research experience prepares students for human factors careers.

The Applied Perception and Performance Lab (APPL) looks at aging, perception and the performance of complex everyday tasks like driving.

In collaboration with other researchers, those in this lab investigate how age-related changes in vision affect both driving performance and driver detection of pedestrians. Their research has investigated how the effects of simulated visual impairment, like cataracts, affect the ability of listeners to understand spoken speech in noisy environments. The team also investigates how driver distraction caused by talking or texting on a cellular phone affects vehicle control and the driver's ability to detect hazards.

Equipment

• Low-fidelity driving simulator
• Tobii Eye Tracker

APPL Research

• *Korentsides, J., Keebler, J.R., Berezovski, M., Chaparro, A. (2025). Investigating Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Conditions for Fatalities Utilizing Machine Learning. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 96, (2), 111-115. https://doi.org/10.3357/amhp.6461.2025
• Alfred, M., Barg-Walkow, L.H., Keebler, J. R., Chaparro, A. (2024). Checking all the boxes: a checklist for when and how to use checklists effectively. BMJ Quality & Safety. bmjqs-2023-016934. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2023-016934. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38697804. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2023-016934
• *Dreslin, B., *Mersinger, M., *Patel, S., Chaparro, A. (2023, July). Flying Blind: Exploring the Visual Cues Used by Helicopter Pilots in Degraded Visual Environments. Human Factors in Transportation, 95, 656–664. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1003851
• *St.Clair, A., & Chaparro, A. (2023, July). Automotive Head-Up Displays (HUDs): Considerations for Color-limited Users. Human Factors in Accessibility and Assistive Technology, 87, 26-32. 2023. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1003650
• *Korentsides, J., *St.Clair, A., *Dyapa, M. & Chaparro, A. (2022). Head-up Displays: Analysis of Automotive Use Considerations. Human Factors in Accessibility and Assistive Technology, 37, 53–59. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1001642
• *Mersinger, M.C. & Chaparro, A. (2022). Semi-autonomous Vehicle Crashes: An Exploration of Contributing Factors. Advances in Transportation, 60, 394-401. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1002471
• *Patel, S., *Choy, E., *Lawton, P.,* Lovell, J., Chaparro, B., & Chaparro, A. (2022). To Dot or Not to Dot: the effectiveness of instruction Design on Smart Home Device Set-Up for Older Adults. HCII 2002, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 13331, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05654-3_5