Dr Tyron Louw

Profile

Employment History

• 2017-present, Research Fellow in Human Factors of Vehicle Automation, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds
• 2013-2017, Research Assistant, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds

Project Involvement

• L3Pilot, EU H2020 Research and Innovation Action, 2017-2021. Work package lead in SP3 and SP7, evaluating human factors of vehicle automation in a large-scale field operational test.
• HumanDRIVE, Innovate UK innovation project, 2017-2019. Role: Researcher.
• SeeingMachines project, 2017-2018. The use of Driver Monitoring Systems to evaluate driver behaviour during L3/L3 automation.Role: Researcher.
• X-Cycle, EU H2020 Research and Innovation Action, 2016-2018. Role: Researcher.
• AdaptIVe, EU FP7, 2014-2017. Role: Researcher, investigating driver behaviour during the transition of control in highly automated driving.
• CityMobil2, EU FP7, 2013-2016. Role: Researcher, investigating non-users' interaction with, and understanding of, automated road transport systems (ARTS).
• ecoDriver, EU FP7,  2013-2016. Role: Researcher.

Publications

 

• Kuisma, S., Louw, T., Torrao, G., Merat, N. (in preparation). Assessing mobility impacts of automated driving in L3Pilot.
• Innamaa, S., Louw, T., Streubel, T., Rösener, C., Metz, B., Merat, N. (in preparation). Methodological challenges related to real-world automated driving pilots.
• Goncalves, R.C., Louw, T., Romano, R., Madigan, R., Merat, N., & Quaresma, M. (In preparation). The impact of HMI information on drivers’ gaze behaviour during lane-change tasks in partially automated driving.
• Louw, T., Hajiseyedjavadi, F., Jamson, A.H., Romano, R., Boer, E.R, Merat, N. (Under review). The relationship between sensation seeking and speeding behaviour in road environments with different contextual risks.
• Hajiseyedjavadi, F., Louw T., Jamson, H., Merat., N., Li., P., Boer., E.R., Romano., R. (Under review), Road factors and their impact on drivers’ speed and lateral position control behavior.
• Goncalves, R.C., Louw, T., Madigan, R., Merat, N. (Under review). Using Markovian chains to understand drivers’ gaze transitions during lane changes in manual vs. Automated driving.
• Louw, T., Kuo, J., Romano, R., Radhakrishnan, V., Lenné, M., Merat, N. (Under review). Engaging in NDRTs affects drivers’ responses and glance patterns after silent automation failures.
• Goncalves R.C., Louw, T., Madigan, R., Merat, N., & Quaresma, M. (Under review). Evaluation of gaze behaviour patterns in lane changing tasks in vehicle automation.
• Wu, M., Louw, T., Lahijanian, M., Ruan, W., Huang, X., Merat, N. & Kwiatkowska, M. (Under review). Gaze-based Intention Anticipation over Driving Manoeuvres in Semi-Autonomous Vehicles.
• Madigan, R., Nordhoff, S., Fox, C., Aminia, R.E., Louw, T., Wilbrink, M., Schieben, A., & Merat., N. (Under review). Understanding Interactions between Automated Road Transport Systems and Other Road Users.
• Schieben, A., Wilbrink, M., Kettwich, C., Madigan, R., Louw, T., & Merat, N (2018). Designing the interaction of automated vehicles with other traffic participants: A design framework based on human needs and expectations. Cognition, Technology & Work.
• Merat, N., Seppelt, B., Louw, T., Engström, J., Lee, J.D., Johansson, E., Green, C.A., et al. (2018). The “Out-of-the-Loop” Concept in Automated Driving: proposed definitions, measures and implications. Cognition, Technology & Work.
• Merat, N., Louw, T., Madigan, R., Wilbrink, M., & Schieben, A. (2018). What externally presented information do VRUs require when interacting with fully Automated Road Transport Systems in shared space? Accident Analysis & Prevention.
• Madigan, R., Louw, T., & Merat, N. (2018). The effect of varying levels of vehicle automation on drivers’ lane changing behaviour. PLoS One, 13(2), e0192190.
• Louw, T., Markkula, G., Boer, E., Madigan, R., Carsten, O., and Merat, N. (2017). Coming Back into the Loop: Drivers' Perceptual-Motor Performance in Critical Events in Automated Driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 108, 9-18.
• Madigan, R., Louw, T., Wilbrink, M., Schieben, A., and Merat, N. (2017). What influences the decision to use automated public transport? Using UTAUT to understand public acceptance of Automated Road Transport Systems? Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 50, 55-64. 
• Louw, T. (2017). The Human Factors of Highly Automated Driving. PhD Thesis, University Of Leeds, United Kingdom.
• Wilson, K. M., Bridges, K., Ward, P. W., Parkinson, S., Louw, T., & Cooney, R. (2017). Driver interaction with a traffic light assistant app: A naturalistic investigation. In R. Charles & J. Wilkinson (Eds.), Contemporary Ergonomics & Human Factors 2017: Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (pp. 143-150), Daventry, UK.
• Louw, T. & Merat, N. (2017). Are you in the loop? Using gaze dispersion to understand driver visual attention during resumption of control from automation. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 76, 35:50.
• Louw, T., Madigan, R., Carsten, O., & Merat, N. (2016). Were they in the loop during automated driving? Links between visual attention and crash potential. Injury Prevention, 23, 281:286. 
• Madigan, R., Louw, T., Dziennus, M., Graindorge, T., Ortega, E., Graindorge, M., & Merat, N. (2016). Acceptance of Automated Road Transport Systems (ARTS): An adaptation of the UTAUT model. 6th Transport Research Arena, April 18-21, 2016, Warsaw, Poland.
• Louw, T., Kountouriotis, G., Carsten, O., & Merat, N. (2015). Driver Inattention During Vehicle Automation: How Does Driver Engagement Affect Resumption Of Control? 4th International Conference on Driver Distraction and Inattention.
• Louw, T., Merat, N., & Jamson, H. (2015). Engaging with Highly Automated Driving: To Be Or Not To Be In The Loop?  Proceedings of the 8th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design, Snowbird, Utah, USA, 23-25 June.
• Louw, T., Zschernack, S., & Goebel, M. (2013). The effect of distraction modality on driver performance, ErgonomicsSA; 25(1), 13-25.
• Louw, T. & Christie, C.J. (2013). If the Shoe Fits: Implementing Ergonomics in South Africa. Corporate Social Review, 1st & 2nd Quarter. Institute for Corporate and Social Development: SA.
• Louw, T. (2012). An Investigation Into Control Mechanisms of Driving Performance: Resource Depletion and Effort-Regulation. MSc (Research) Thesis, Rhodes University, South Africa.
• Louw, T. (2010). The effect of distraction modality on driver performance. BSc (Hons) Dissertation, Rhodes University, South Africa.

Project Reports

• Louw, T., Kuo, J., Romano, R., Radhakrishnan, V., Lenné, M., Merat, N. (2018). Evaluating driver engagement in Level 2/3 vehicle automation, using PC-DMS. Seeing Machines project report.
• Louw, T., Hibberd, D., Lee, Y.M. (2018). Situation awareness and mental workload in driving: A literature review. Jaguar Land Rover Project Report.
• Hibberd, D., Louw, T., et al. (2018). From Research Questions to Logging Requirements. L3Pilot Project Deliverable 3.1, European Commission.
• Merat, N., Louw, T., et al. (2016). Human factors sub-project experimental results. AdaptIVe Project Deliverable 3.2, European Commission.
• Merat, N., Louw, T., Madigan, R., Dziennus, M., Schieben, M. (2016). Road users’ comprehension of, and attitudes towards, Automated Road Transport Systems (ARTS) in an urban environment. CityMobil2 Project Deliverable 18.1, European Commission.
• Merat, N., Fox, C., Louw, T., Madigan, R., Dziennus, M., & Schieben, A., Bombini, L., Milanese, V., (2016). Measurement of interaction with other road users. CityMobil2 Project Deliverable 18.3.
• Merat, N., Louw, T., Madigan, R., Dziennus, M., & Schieben, A. (2016). Road users’ comprehension of, and attitudes towards, Auto-mated Road Transport Systems (ARTS) in an urban environment. CityMobil2 Project Deliverable 18.1.
• Alessandrini, A., Delle Site, P, Holguin, C., Salucci, M., Stam, D., Pietroni, F., Merat, N. & Louw, T. (2014). Evaluation plan for the demonstrations. CityMobil2 Project Deliverable 14.4.
• Jamson, S., Kappe, B. & Louw, T. (2014). Performance Indicators and acceptance analysis plan. ecoDriver Project Deliverable 42.1.

Presentations

• Louw, T. (2018). Drivers' response to silent automation failures: how do driver distraction and regular vigilance affect take-over response? International Conference on Driver Distraction and Inattention. Gothenburg, Sweden, October 15-17.
• Louw, T. (2018). Human Factors and the ethics of AI in self-driving cars. Edinburgh International Science Festival, Edinburgh, UK, 3 April, 2018.
• Louw, T. (2017). Evolution of Autonomous Cars: Misconceptions and Opportunities. The Knowledge Transfer Network Company, Leeds, UK, 6 December 2017.
• Louw, T. (2017). Is the 21st century driver ready for driverless cars? Rhodes University, South Africa, 23 October 2017.
• Louw, T. (2017). Principles of Human-Automation Interaction. Rhodes University, South Africa, 20 October 2017.
• Louw, T. (2017). Is the 21st century driver ready for driverless cars? Pendle Cafe Scientifique, Pendle, UK, 8 May 2017.
• Louw, T. (2017). Is the 21st century driver ready for driverless cars? RoSPA Road Safety Conference, Birmingham, UK, 9 March 2017.
• Louw, T. (2016). Look Mum, No Hands! University of Leeds Postgraduate Research Conference. Leeds, UK, 5 December.
• Louw, T. (2016). Were they in the loop during automated driving? Links between visual attention and crash potential. Annual Meeting of the Human Factors of and Ergonomics Europe Chapter, Prague, Czech Republic, 26-28 October.
• Louw, T. (2016). Were they in the loop during automated driving? Links between visual attention and crash potential. Sixth International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology, Brisbane, Australia, 3-5 August.
• Louw, T. (2016). A methodology for inducing the out of the loop phenomenon in highly automated driving. Sixth International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology, Brisbane, Australia, 3-5 August.
• Louw, T. (2016). Are we ready for the self-driving Car? TEDxUniversityofLeeds, Leeds, UK. 29 January, 2016.
• Louw, T. (2015). An Overview of European Activities in Human Factors and Vehicle Automation. 2nd SIP-adus Workshop on Connected and Automated Driving Systems. Tokyo International Exchange Center, Tokyo, Japan. 27 October 2015. Invited presentation.
• Louw, T. (2015). Exploring the Transition of Control: Understanding Driver-Automation Interaction. 2nd SIP-adus Workshop on Connected and Automated Driving Systems. Tokyo International Exchange Center, Tokyo, Japan. 28 October 2015. Invited presentation.
• Louw, . (2015). Driver Distraction During Vehicle Automation: How Does Driver Engagement Affect Resumption Of Control?  PGR Students’ Conference 2015, University of Leeds. 9 September 2015.
• Louw, T., Merat, N. & Jamson, H. (2015). Engaging with Highly Automated Driving: To Be Or Not To Be In The Loop? 8th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design, Snowbird, Utah, USA. 23-25 June.
• Louw, T. (2015). 'Look Mom No Hands!” The Human Factors Challenges of our Driverless Future. Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. 12 May, 
• Louw, T. (2014). Human Factors and Vehicle Automation: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The National Road Safety Conference, 25-26th November, Brighton, UK.
• Louw, T., Merat, N. & Jamson, H.  (2014). Advances in the Human Factors of Vehicle Automation. Meeting of the ISO TC/22/SC 13 Working Group on Vehicle Automation, 17-18th November, Lyon, France.
• Louw, T., Merat, N. & Jamson, H. (2014). Driver Behaviour in Highly Automated Vehicles. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Conference, 8-10th October, Lisbon, Portugal. 
• Louw, T. (2014). Applying Human Factors & Ergonomics Principles to Driving Research. Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Rhodes University, 21 May, Grahamstown, South Africa.
• Louw, T. (2013). Road Users’ Comprehension of Automated Driverless Vehicles. 5th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE), 21-23rd July, Krakow, Poland.
• Louw, T. (2013). A Working Hitchhikers Guide to Postgraduate Success. Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Rhodes University, 21 May, Grahamstown, South Africa.
• Louw, T. (2013). Road Users’ Comprehension of Automated Driverless Vehicles. 5th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE). Krakow, Poland, 21-23 July 2013.
• Louw, T. (2013). A Methodology to Assess Driver Acceptance of EcoDriving devices. Meeting of the European Project EcoDriver. Versailles, France, 23 October 2013.

Conference Posters

• Louw, T., Merat, N.,  Kountouriotis, G. and Madigan., R. (2015). Response to a critical situation during automated driving: can we take drivers out of the loop? Poster presented at Automated Vehicle Symposium 2015. 21-23 July 2015. Ann Arbour, Michigan, USA.
• Merat, N., Louw, T., Marc Dziennus, M.,Graindorge, T., Malhéné, N., Ortega, E. and Graindorge, M. (2015). Interaction of Road Users with Automated Road Transport Systems in La Rochelle. Poster presented at Automated Vehicle Symposium 2015. 21-23 July 2015. Ann Arbour, Michigan, USA.
• Merat, N., Louw, T., Kountouriotis, G., Johansson, Wiedemann, K., Schömig, N., Ljung Aust, M., Larsson, A., Dziennus, M., Kelsch, J., Wolter, S. and Brockmann, M. (2015). Human factors of vehicle automation: Preliminary insights from the AdaptIVe project. Poster presented at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 94th Annual Meeting. 11-15 January 2015. Washington, D.C., USA. 
• Louw, T., Zschernack, S. and Goebel, M. (2011). The effect of distraction modality on driver performance. 10th International Symposium on Human Factors in Organisational Design and Management (ODAM 2011). 4-6th April 2011, Grahamstown, South Africa.

Professional Activities

Reviewer: Human Factors, Applied Ergonomics, Transportation Research Part F, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Traffic Injury Prevention, IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems

Member: British Standards Institute (BSI)

Visiting Researcher: Automotive Human Factors Research Center, National Advanced Institute for Industrial Science and Technology, Japan

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

• PhD, Insitute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds
• MSc (Research), Ergonomics, Rhodes University
• BSc, Ergonomics, Rhodes University,

Student education

Past teaching includes Human Information Processing and Usability to 3rd-year undergraduate students in the Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics at Rhodes University, South Africa. I am part of the team developing and delivering the new Engineering Psychology and Human Factors module (MECH5495M) in 2019, offered on various Master's programmes within the Faculty of Engineering.

I have advised and supervised a number of ITS Master's student dissertations on a variety of topics involving driver behaviour. 

I currently supervise three PhD students:

• Vishnu Radhakrishnan, co-supervised by Natasha Merat (Leeds) and Mike Lenné (Seeing Machines), is studying driver monitoring in highly automated vehicles.
• Mickaël Perrier, co-supervised by Oliver Carsten and Nick Reed (Bosch), is studying driver attention to the driving task during automated driving.
• Rafael Goncalves, co-supervised by Natasha Merat (Leeds), is studying driver attention and HMI development in highly automated vehicles.

Research groups and institutes

• Human Factors and Safety

Current postgraduate research students

• Mickaël Perrier
• Vishnu Radhakrishnan
• Rafael Goncalves

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/research-opportunities">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>