Keynote speakers

From Distraction to Attention: Theory and Applications

The framework of Minimum Required Attention (MiRA) originated from the attempt to define inattention without hindsight bias or normativity. It sets out the minimum conditions for being attentive, based on situational factors like the infrastructure layout, traffic rules, road user type and direction of travel. If those conditions are met, the road user is attentive. In practice, this is both useful and complicated. The useful part is the wide range of possible applications of the framework: from driver assessment over infrastructure planning to the evaluation of system fairness between road user groups. The complicated part is that it all depends – on how we measure things, where we draw lines, what simplifications we are willing to accept, and so on. Not too different from other theories and models, and of course enticing that more questions surface all the time.

Katja Kircher is a senior researcher at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and research leader for road user attention. One of her interests is to advance the development of the Minimum Required Attention (MiRA) framework and to apply it to various aspects of transportation. Another of her research areas is centred around cycling and other sustainable transport on rural roads.