UMTRI Research Revie · neering Research Center on Wheelchair Transportation Safety. The latter is a collaborative research and development program of the University of Pittsburgh

• UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE • JANUARY–MARCH 2003 • VOLUME 34, NUMBER 1 •

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New T&BSA Director .........1

Michigan Crash Facts Online...........................1

Ride Safe Brochure ...........3

Truck Driver Injury ...........5

Hot off the Press ..............7

Conferences & Events........8

Transportation Tidbits .......9

• UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE • JANUARY–MARCH 2003 • VOLUME 34, NUMBER 1 •

U M T R I

The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirma-tive action employer, complies with all applicable federal andstate laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action,including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 andSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Universityof Michigan is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination andequal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color,religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status,sexual orientation, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status inemployment, educational programs and activities, or admissions.Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the University'sDirector of Affirmative Action and Title IX/Section 504Coordinator, Office for a Multicultural Community, 2072Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan48109-1432, (734) 763-0235, TTY (734) 647-1388. Forother University of Michigan information call (734) 764-1817.

The Regents of the University:David A. Brandon, Ann ArborLaurence B. Deitch, Bingham FarmsDaniel D. Horning, Grand HavenOlivia P. Maynard, GoodrichRebecca McGowan, Ann ArborAndrea Fischer Newman, Ann ArborS. Martin Taylor, Gross Pointe FarmsKatherine E. White, Ann ArborMary Sue Coleman, ex officio

ISSN 0739 7100

Writer and Editor: Monica MillaDesigner Shekinah ErringtonCover Photographers: left and road insets: Stacy Thompson

top and bottom: Joel MacWilliamscenter: Raymond Masters

Printer: UM Printing Services

The UMTRI Research Review is published four times ayear by the Research Information and Publications Centerof the University of Michigan Transportation ResearchInstitute, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan48109-2150 (http://www.umtri.umich.edu). The sub-scription price is $35 a year, payable by all subscribersexcept those who are staff members of a State of Michiganagency or an organization sponsoring research at theInstitute. See the subscription form on the inside backcover. For change of address or deletion, please encloseyour address label.

New Director of Truck and Bus SafetyAnalysis Division

John Woodrooffe joined UMTRI as the direc-tor of the Truck and Bus Safety AnalysisDivision (formerly the Survey and Analysis

Division) in February. In his new role, John willbuild on the work of his predecessor Ken Campbell,focusing on gathering crash data and cultivatingresearch projects dependent on data use.

Woodrooffe says, “The data we have collect-ed at UMTRI is unique and of great value. Ourfocus on the collection of quality data has paidoff and we are now well positioned to generatechallenging projects based on data use. This willbe a very exciting time for the division.”

Prior to joining UMTRI, John spent sevenyears as principal of Woodrooffe and AssociatesIncorporated, a consulting company involved withthe safety of heavy trucks, near Ottawa, Ontario,Canada. Before that, he was head of heavy-truck-safety research of the heavy-vehicle-dynamics labat the National Research Council of Canada. Hewas also deputy head of the NRC’s Center forSurface Transportation. A graduate of theUniversity of Ottawa, John says heavy-truck safe-ty and productivity have been a lifelong passion.

Michigan Crash Facts on the Web

UMTRI’s Truck and Bus Safety AnalysisDivision (TBSAD) develops theMichigan Traffic Crash Facts project for

the Michigan State Police’s Office of HighwaySafety Planning. The yearly compilation andanalysis of statewide crash data is a valuable toolthat is distributed to government agencies,researchers, and the general public. (The projectis spurred by a Michigan law that requires thatstate police collect and report information regard-ing traffic crashes.)

The Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF)data provides complete information for trafficcrashes, fatalities, and injuries on Michigan road-ways, most recently for calendar year 2001.Statewide data, as well as data for individualcounties and their communities, is available atwww.umtri.umich.edu/tdc/mtcf/crash_facts.htm.The site also provides a first look at 2002 data.

Researchers in the TBSAD TransportationData Center (TDC) obtain data for the bookfrom Michigan traffic-crash report forms submit-ted by local police departments, sheriff jurisdictions,

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and the Department of State Police. Other relat-ed information is obtained from the MichiganDepartments of Transportation, State, andCommunity Health.

TDC staff members bring their knowledge of data and highway-safety issues to the project,working with the Office of Highway SafetyPlanning and the Criminal Justice InformationCenter to interpret the data and define the con-tent of the book. From the data, they build theADAAS files (Automated Data Access andAnalysis System, a program developed by theTDC to provide access to the crashdata), define the tables that createthe desired content and generatethe material for the book.

Charles P. Compton overseesthe project, checks for problemswith the data, and resolves issueswith the Criminal Justice Informa-tion Center. Mary Helen Eschman produces thedocuments and the website. Mary Bennett gener-ates the tables and assists with production efforts.

Points of interest from Michigan TrafficCrash Facts for the last decade include:

• A decline in the mileage death rate from1.6 in 1993 to 1.3 in 2002

• A significant rise in vehicle-deer crashesfrom 47,879 in 1993 to 63,136 in 2002

• Decreasing numbers of alcohol re-lated crashes

UMTRI has been producing the MTCFbooks since 1992, when associate research scien-tist Fredrick Streff won the original contract.Many changes in processing the Michigan traffic-crash data occurred that year. The UD-10 reportingform was greatly revised and the MTCF bookthat had previously been produced by theMichigan State Police was turned over to UMTRIfor development and production. Sweepingchanges were made to both the overall designand the selection of data elements to be present-ed in the book.

An early goal for the project was to stabilizethe creation process. New levels of error checkingwere introduced, and the computer runs that produce the data elements were enhanced and

consolidated. Reader satisfaction surveys accom-panied the books. Based on input from the surveys and requests from the Office of HighwaySafety Planning, changes and additions weremade to the fact books.

The 1994–1998 MTCF sheets were one-to-two page summaries highlighting key subjects—an overview, general facts, trends, pedestrians,bicyclists, motorcyclists, alcohol, deer, age, occu-pant protection, and since 1999, heavy trucks andbuses. These dynamic presentations were intend-ed for distribution to the media.

Based on input from theOffice of Highway Safety Plan-ning, the book was expanded totwo volumes in 1997: MichiganTraffic Crash Facts and MichiganTraffic Crash Facts for County/Communities. The 1998 projectexpanded to include tables

designed for presentation exclusively on the web.In 2000, UMTRI took over responsibility for thewebsite that houses the MTCF archives. A masterCD with bookmarks was created, which includesthe fact books, fact sheets, and web content.

Future Michigan Traffic Crash Facts reportswill address emerging issues in traffic safety suchas an aging driving population and its implica-tions, and the effects of the graduated driverlicensing program for teen drivers.

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MICHIGAN OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY PLANNING

MICHIGAN OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY PLANNING

In an effort to improvemotor vehicle safety forwheelchair users, staff

at UMTRI and the UMHealth System have developeda brochure of best-practicerecommendations for peoplewho use wheelchairs as seatsin motor vehicles. The guide-lines—published in a RideSafe brochure and online—provide step-by-stepinstructions on equipmentselection, wheelchair secure-ment, and proper use ofseat belt systems. Ride Safeis targeted toward peoplewho use wheelchairs, trans-portation providers, andsafety advocates, andincludes a resource list oforganizations, publications,and manufacturers of crash-tested equipment.

The brochure was thebrainchild of Lori Brinkey, a physical therapist in theUM Health System; MiriamManary, a senior researchassociate in UMTRI’sBiosciences Division; andLarry Schneider, a seniorresearch scientist and head

of the Biosciences Division.They each consult withmany people who usewheelchairs and with pro-fessionals who seek adviceon safe transportationchoices for wheelchair users.

When traveling in amotor vehicle, it is generallysafest for people who usewheelchairs to transfer to avehicle seat and use vehiclerestraint (or child restraint)systems that comply withfederal safety standards.However, if transferring is

not possible, such as whenthe wheelchair user needsthe support of the wheel-chair seating system, it isvery important to securethe wheelchair to the vehi-cle and for the rider to use a crash-tested belt restraint.Yet, Manary says, “An easy-to-read, best-practice guidefor transporting people inwheelchairs did not exist.”She continues that Brinkeysuggested “combining the UM Health System’sexperience in prescribingwheelchairs with UMTRI’sknowledge of wheelchairrestraint safety systems todevelop an illustratedbrochure that makes basicinformation on how to safe-ly transport wheelchair userswidely available.”

The Ride Safe brochuredraws on years of wheel-chair transportation researchand testing both at UMTRI


continued…

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UMTRI / STACY THOMPSONRide Safe BrochurePromotes Vehicle Safetyfor People Who Use WheelchairsUMTRI and UM Health System Develop Brochure of Best-Practices for Safer Travel of Wheelchair Users

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and the University ofPittsburgh. Development ofthe brochure and the associatedwebsite—www.travelsafer.org—was funded through a grantfrom the FRIENDS of theUniversity of MichiganHospitals, and by the UMHealth System, UMTRI,and the Rehabilitation Engi-neering Research Center onWheelchair TransportationSafety. The latter is a collaborative research anddevelopment program ofthe University of Pittsburghand the UMTRI BiosciencesDivision that is funded bythe National Institute forDisabilities Research andRehabilitation. Staff mem-bers also donated considerableadditional time to create thebrochure. UMTRI and UMhospital staff drafted thetext and provided the pho-tographs, graphic artists inthe UM Biomedical Com-munications Departmentcreated the artwork, andresearchers from theUniversity of Pittsburghprovided editorial input.

Manary explains thatthe initial plan was to print5,000 brochures for distri-bution at UM wheelchairseating clinics each year andfor mailing to each state’stransportation director. She says, “The response was

overwhelming, and a secondprinting of 12,000 bro-chures is now underway.”

To order Ride Safebrochures, email [email protected], phone (734) 764-2171, orfax (734) 936-1081.


For details, visit www.travelsafer.orgor order brochures through

[email protected] or (734) 764-2171

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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN / BMC

StudyExaminesTruck DriverInjuryUM EnvironmentalHealth Sciences ProfessorWorks with UMTRI’sTruck and Bus Safety Division

Of all professions, truck drivers had the

greatest number of injuriesand illnesses causing timeaway from work (from allsources including truck acci-dents) during 1992–2001.1

Dr. Arthur Oleinick, associ-ate professor in the UMEnvironmental HealthSciences Department (partof the UM School of PublicHealth), is examining theseinjury patterns with DanBlower, an assistant researchscientist in UMTRI’s Truckand Bus Safety AnalysisDivision. Dr. Oleinickserves as the principal inves-tigator of the study, whichis funded by a grant fromthe National Institute forOccupational Safety andHealth (NIOSH).

Blower says, “The scientific community hasrelatively little informationon the factors contributingto the high rate of truckdriver injury. We are inter-ested in determining howfactors such as the type oftrucking operations, fleetsize of the motor carrier,and types of trucks operated

contribute to differences ininjury rates for truck driv-ers. The second phase of thestudy will examine the fac-tors related to differences in medical outcomes, givena compensable injury. This study brings togetherexperts from truck transpor-tation, industrial relations,occupational medicine/epidemiology, and biostatis-tics to merge and analyzedata sets that have beenused previously only for research in the separ-ate fields.”

The study will identifyfactors associated with thefrequency of injuries anddisability outcome, as meas-ured by days away fromwork, of work-relatedinjuries in the truckingindustry. It links workers’compensation data to truckfirm characteristics from

national administrative files,and to UMTRI’s crash datafiles, and models the disabil-ity outcomes of varioustypes of injuries.

The study originated afew years ago with then-UMTRI director, PatriciaWaller, who broughttogether Oleinick andBlower as the primary inves-tigators with herself, KenCampbell, and Mike Belzer

as consultants to pursue theNIOSH grant. The currentstudy has been workingwith data for the past year.Dr. Oleinick’s training inboth medicine and law withspecial expertise in occupa-tional medicine and healthlaw brings public healthexpertise to the study. Themultidisciplinary projectalso involves KennethGuire, a consultant in statis-tical modeling, in UM’sBiostatistics Departmentand the Center forStatistical Consultation andResearch. In addition,Clarissa Liebler, CharlottePeterson, Abhinav Vohra,Chaitanya Gandra, SarrahAnyangwe, MukilanMuthuswami, Brian Hartl,Janet Shen, and NghiaNguyen have worked on thestudy as part of their gradu-ate education.

The study will: • Determine wheth-er motor carrierand/or truckcharacteristics areassociated with the incidenceand/or outcomeof a variety of

workplace injuries• Investigate whether

injuries produced byvehicle crashes areassociated with thesame variables

• Assess the associationof demographic fac-tors, motor carriercharacteristics, andmedical care withduration of work

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1 The occupation with the next highest frequency, laborers in non-construction, had about two-thirds the number of such injuries.

MICROSOFT CORPORATION / MICROSOFT DIGITAL GALLERY LIVE

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disability measured bydays away from work

• Evaluate the predictivevalue of the modelsobtained

To achieve these goals,researchers are modeling theoccurrence of compensableworkplace injuries by anumber of factors includingmotor carrier operatingcharacteristics, fleet size,and truck configuration.

Researchers are workingwith data from Ohio,because that state is one ofthe few sources of compre-hensive centralized workers’compensation data. Thestudy population consists ofapproximately 5,000 injuredtruck drivers over the1997–1999 periodwith follow-up formedical care usethrough 2001.Motor carriercharacteristics,fleet size, and fleettruck configura-tion are obtainedfrom federal andstate regulatoryagencies, whilecrash data is ob-tained from the federaltruck-crash reporting systemsupplemented by policecrash reports.

Dr. Oleinick says, “Thetechnical problems of link-ing large administrativedatabases remain formida-ble, even in this day of veryfast computing, because of the size and complexityof the databases. For

example, information onrace is not routinely collectedby workers’ compensationagencies because it is irrele-vant to the determination ofcoverage, but race has beenshown to influence the acces-sibility and provision ofmedical care in some set-tings and is thereforeimportant for studies ofoutcomes. Thus, we havespent considerable time ingeocoding claim informa-tion as a basis for linking togrouped data on race byblock from the U.S. Census.However, because our datacome from the interval1997–1999, we have hadalso to analyze whetherthere was a change in racialcomposition in the census

units of interest between1990 and 2000.”

Another challenge in-volves identifying truckdrivers among the compen-sation claimants from truckingfirms. Dr. Oleinick contin-ues, “Follow-back for thepurposes of clarifying occu-pational information fromthe firms is not possible, so we have had to developalternative strategies for

identifying members of thisgroup. After training by theU.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics in coding occupa-tion and injury characteristicsfrom reports of injury, oneof our graduate students,Clarissa Liebler, supervisedthe coding of these FirstReports of Injury. In addi-tion to coding from theoccupation description, wehave been able to identifyadditional truck drivers byreviewing the text of theinjury report. Additionaltruck drivers will be identi-fied by cross-linking to theOhio commercial driver’slicense file. One positivespin-off from this approachhas been the identificationof a large group of blue-

collar workers inthe same firms toserve as controlsin the outcomeanalysis sincetheir schedulesare far more regular, and thismay facilitategreater compliancewith treat-ment schedules.”

Two abstractsof work from this projectwill be presented orally atthe National OccupationalInjury Research Symposiumsponsored by NIOSH this fall.

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Technical ReportsEby, D.W.; Kostyniuk, L.P.; Molnar, L.J.; Joksch, H.; Vivoda, J.M. 2001.

The effects of standard safety belt enforcement on police harassment:

year 1 annual report. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation

Research Institute, Social and Behavioral Analysis Division. 23 p.

Report No. UMTRI-2001-05. UMTRI-94594.

Eby, D.W.; Vivoda, J.M. 2001. Standard enforcement in Michigan:

a one-year follow-up and review. Michigan University, Ann Arbor,

Transportation Research Institute, Social and Behavioral Analysis

Division. 73 p. Sponsor: Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning,

Lansing. Report No. UMTRI-2001-22. UMTRI-95102.

Eby, D.W.; Vivoda, J.M. 2001. Direct observation of safety belt use in

Michigan: fall 2001. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation


Sponsor: Michigan State Office of Highway Safety Planning, Lansing.

Report No. UMTRI-2001-36. UMTRI-71544 A23.

Eby, D.W.; Kostyniuk, L.P.; Miller, L.L.; Vivoda, J.M. 2001. Child safety seat

use in Michigan. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation


Sponsor: Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, Lansing;

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Report No. UMTRI-2001-26. UMTRI-95196.

Ervin, R.; Bareket, Z.; Fancher, P.; Sullivan, J.; Mefford, M.L.; LeBlanc, D.;

Hagan, M. 2001. “The detection and categorization of altercontrol.”

Phase II report to BMW on a methodical approach for the engineering

of driver assistance systems. Michigan University, Ann Arbor,

Transportation Research Institute, Engineering Research Division/

Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation Research Institute,

Human Factors Division. 89 p. Sponsor: Bayerische Motoren Werke,

Palo Alto, Calif. Report No. UMTRI-2001-28. UMTRI-95103.

Flynn, M.S.; Alkire, K.F.; Graham, D. 2001. OEM parts purchasing: shifting

strategies. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation Research

Institute, Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation. 60 p.

Sponsor: Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO), Tokyo

(Japan) Report No. UMTRI-2000-48. UMTRI-94308.

Flynn, M.S.; Hill, K.; Alkire, K.F.; Belzowski, B.M; Kang, G.; Senter, R. H.

2001. The economy, competition, and the retail automotive dealer.

Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation Research Institute,

Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation/ Central Michigan

University, Mt. Pleasant. 145 p. Sponsor: AutoNation. Report No.

UMTRI-2000-34. UMTRI-94313.

Green, P.; Flynn, M.; Vanderhagen, G.; Ziomek, J.; Ullman, E.; Mayer, K. 2001.

Automotive industry trends in electronics: year 2000 survey of senior

executives. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation Research

Institute, Human Factors Division/ Michigan University, Ann Arbor,

Transportation Research Institute, Office for the Study of Automotive

Transportation. 105 p. Report No. UMTRI-2001-15. UMTRI-95197.

Jo, H. J. 2002. Regional restructuring and urban regimes: a comparison of

the Pittsburgh and Detroit metropolitan areas. Michigan University,

Ann Arbor, Transportation Research Institute, Office for the Study of

Automotive Transportation. 45 p. Sponsor: Korea Research

Foundation. Report No. UMTRI 2002-20. UMTRI-96549.

MacWilliams, J.B.; Schneider, L.W. 2001. F9. Analysis of crash reconstruction

program results. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation Re-

search Institute, Biosciences Division. 62 p. Sponsor: General Motors

Corporation, Warren, Mich. Report No. UMTRI-2001-11. UMTRI-95104.

Matteson, A.; Blower, D. 2001. Trucks involved in fatal accidents factbook

1999. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation Research

Institute, Center for National Truck Statistics. 106 p. Sponsor: Federal

Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Washington, D.C. Report No.

UMTRI-2001-41. UMTRI-48532 A36.

Putcha, D.; Blower, D.; Masters. R. 2001. Trucks involved in fatal accidents.

Codebook 1999 (version September 19, 2001) Michigan University,

Ann Arbor, Transportation Research Institute, Center for National

Truck Statistics. 136 p. Sponsor: Federal Motor Carrier Safety

Administration, Washington, D.C. Report No. UMTRI-2001-32.

UMTRI-48532 A35.

Rupp, J.D.; Schneider, L.W.; Klinich. K.D.; Moss, S.; Zhou, J.; Pearlman, M.D.

2001. Design, development, and testing of a new pregnant abdomen

for the Hybrid III small female crash test dummy. Michigan University,

Ann Arbor, Transportation Research Institute, Biosciences Division/

First Technology Safety Systems, Plymouth, Mich./ Michigan

University, Ann Arbor, Medical School. 205 p. Sponsor: General Motors

Corporation, Warren, Mich. Report No. UMTRI-2001-07.

UMTRI-94356.

Streff, F.M.; Sudharsan, K. 2001. Fatal and serious injury traffic crash trends

in Michigan: 1995–1999. Michigan University, Ann Arbor,




Streff, F.M.; Spradlin, H.K.; Eby, D.W. 2001. Repeat alcohol offenders:

a review of the literature. Michigan University, Ann Arbor,




Vivoda, J.M.; Eby, D.W. 2001. Safety belt use in Wayne County communities:

fall 2001. Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Transportation Research

Institute, Social and Behavioral Analysis Division. 54 p. Sponsor:

Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, Lansing; National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C. Report No.

UMTRI-2001-39. UMTRI-95195. RRRR

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8th International Conference on Low-Volume RoadsJune 22–25, Reno, Nevadawww4.trb.org/trb/calendar.nsf/web/lvr8

Conference of Minority Transportation OfficialsJuly 8–12, Washington, D.C.www.comto.org/annual.htm

Driving Assessment 2003July 21–24, Park City, Utahppc.uiowa.edu/driving-assessment

Mid-Continent Transportation Research SymposiumAugust 21–22, Ames, Iowawww.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/midcon2003

2003 GHSA Annual MeetingAugust 24–27, New Orleans, Louisianawww.statehighwaysafety.org

ITE Annual MeetingAugust 24–27, Seattle, Washingtonwww.ite.org/AnnualMeeting

International Conference on Ecology and TransportationAugust 24–29, Lake Placid, New Yorkwww.itre.ncsu.edu/cte/icoet

2nd ITS Brasil Annual Meeting & ExhibitAugust 25–26, Sao Paulo, Brazilwww.itsa.org

25th International Baltic Road ConferenceAugust 25–27, Vilnius, Lithuaniawww.balticroads.org/conference/en

12th International Symposium on Advanced Display TechnologiesAugust 25–27, Korolev, Moscow, Russiawww.sid.org/conf/flowers03/

flowers03.html

2nd Chilean ITS CongressAugust 27–29, Santiago, Chilewww.itschile.cl/its/info_cong_i.htm

National Partnership for Highway Quality ConferenceSeptember 4, Minneapolis, Minnesotawww.nphq.org/meetings_events.cfm

Vision in Vehicles 10th International ConferenceSeptember 7–10, Granada, Spainibs.derby.ac.uk/viv10/viv10.html

19th International Traffic Medicine ConferenceSeptember 14–17, Budapest, Hungarywww.itma2003.hu

Transportation Association of Canada Annual ConferenceSeptember 21–24, St. John’s, Canadawww.tac-atc.ca/english

47th AAAM Scientific ConferenceSeptember 22–24, Lisbon, Portugalwww.carcrash.org

Progress in Automobile LightingSeptember 23–24, Darmstadt, Germanywww.lt.e-technik.tu-darmstadt.de/

maine.html

The Biomechanics of ImpactSeptember 24–26, Lisbon, Portugalwww.ircobi.org/Conference%20Info/

Program_biomech.html

Driving Simulator ConferenceOctober 8–10, Dearborn, Michiganwww.dsc-na.org

HFES 47th Annual MeetingOctober 13–17, Denver, Coloradohfes.org/meetings/2003menu.html

PIARC 22nd World Road CongressOctober 19–25, Durban, South Africawww.wrc2003.com

47th Stapp Car Crash ConferenceOctober 27–29, San Diego, Californiawww.stapp.org

Conferences &

Events


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Transportation TidbitsOn March 6, 1896, Charles B. King tested his automobileon the streets of Detroit, becoming the first man to drive acar in the Motor City.l

On January 11, 1913, the world’s first hardtop productioncar was introduced: Hudson Motor Car Company’s Model54 sedan. Earlier automobiles had open cabs, or at most convertible roofs.l

On July 11, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed theFederal Aid Road Act, the first act by Congress to helpstates build roads. At the time, roads were generally poorand susceptible to weather, and the introduction of theModel T had spurred new interest in higher road standards.By the early 1900s, motorist clubs like the AmericanAutomobile Association had backed the call for federallyfunded, long-distance highways.l

On February 25, 1919, Oregon imposed a 1 percent tax ongasoline. It was the first state to do so. Funds collected fromthe tax were used for road construction and maintenance.l

On April 6, 1934, Ford Motor Company introduced white sidewall tires as an option on its new vehicles at a cost of$11.25 per set.l

The 1948 Tucker was the first vehicle with an adaptive(“bendable”) front headlight. It was called the “Cyclops eye”as it was located in the middle of the grill between the tworegular headlights.5

The catalytic converter was adopted in most 1975 Americancars and many imports as a means to fight fuel consump-tion. By the mid-1970s, computers also played an importantrole in car construction. They were used to track car materi-als and to schedule the construction of each car, includingprinting a sticker to specify the trim, optional accessories,and where the finished car was to be shipped.2

Sources

5

Detroit Free Press, www.freep.com

l

This Day in Automotive History,

www.historychannel.com

2

Automotive 101, www.autoshop-online.com/

auto101/facttext.html

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Documents

UMTRI Research Revie · neering Research Center on Wheelchair Transportation Safety. The latter is a collaborative research and development program of the University of Pittsburgh