Alicia Arnell Nelson

Nelson, Alicia

Associate Research Specialist

Human Factors Group
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
701 N. Post Oak Rd., Suite 430
Houston, TX 77024
ph. (713) 686-2971 Ext. 15120 · fax (713) 686-5396
a-nelson@tamu.edu

Short Biography

Alicia Nelson is an Associate Research Specialist for the Human Factors Group within Texas A&M Transportation Institute's (TTI) Center for Transportation Safety. Mrs. Nelson earned her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. After 2 years of working as an instructor of mechanical systems at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, Mrs. Nelson joined the Center for Transportation Safety team to aid in the development and usage of the Center's Driving Simulator.

While at TTI, Mrs. Nelson's primary task has been the development, scheduling and execution of simulator studies on both a DriveSafety and Realtime simulator. Other tasks related to the driving simulator that Mrs. Nelson performs include scheduling and bookkeeping the simulators usage, calculating the simulators monthly charges, researching questions and problems concerning the simulator, and conducting an occasional tour.

Along with her work with the driving simulator, on-going projects have required Mrs. Nelson to learn and use several traffic and graphics related software programs to create various signs, fonts and images. She has assisted in the design, execution and write-ups for multiple Managed Lanes projects as well as several other traffic sign studies. Mrs. Nelson often prepares Texas A&M Institutional Review Board applications, and also frequently handles participant recruitment. She has assisted other researchers at TTI with experimental design, data collection and data reductions, for a broad range of traffic control device studies.

Education

  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Texas A & M University.

Experience

  • Associate Research Specialist, Human Factors Group, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2009 - Present.
  • Assistant Research Specialist, Human Factors Group, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2008 - August 2009.
  • Research Associate, Human Factors Group, Texas Transportation Institute, December 2002 - August 2008.
  • NASA Instructor, Mechanical and Robotic Systems, United Space Alliance, Houston, Texas, January 2001 - November 2002.
  • Lab Assistant, Center for Space Power, Texas A & M University, 1999 - 2000.
  • Lab Assistant, Baroid Drilling Fluids, Dresser Industries, 1997.

Selected Publications

R.J. Benz, s. Kuchangi, A.A. Nelson, L.D. Theiss. Guidelines for the Effective Use of Flexible Pylons for Congestion Mitigation, Access Management, and Safety Improvement. 0-6643-S. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2012.

K. Fitzpatrick, S.T. Chrysler, M.A. Brewer, A.A. Nelson, V. Iragavarapu. Simulator Study of Signs for a Complex Interchange and Complex Interchange Spreadsheet Tool. 478530-5. September 2012.

A.P. Voigt, A.A. Nelson, J.M. Tydlacka, R. Stevens, S.T. Chrysler. Lane Assignment Traffic Control Devices on Frontage Roads and Conventional Roads at Interchanges. 0-6106-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2011.

A.A. Nelson, J.M. Tydlacka, R. Stevens, S.T. Chrysler, A.P. Voigt. Lane Assignment Traffic Control Devices on Frontage Roads and Conventional Roads at Interchanges: Technical Report. 0-6106-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. November 2011.

M.D. Finley, L.D. Theiss, N.D. Trout, J.D. Miles, A.A. Nelson. Studies to Determine the Effectiveness of Longitudinal Channelizing Devices in Work Zones. 0-6103-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2011.

M.D. Finley, L.D. Theiss, N.D. Trout, J.D. Miles, A.A. Nelson. Evaluation of Longitudinal Channelizing Barricade Effectiveness. 0-6103-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2010.

B.R. Ullman, M.D. Finley, S.T. Chrysler, N.D. Trout, A.A. Nelson, S. Young. Guidelines for the Use of Pavement Marking Symbols at Freeway Interchanges: Final Report. 0-5890-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2010.

K. Fitzpatrick, S.T. Chrysler, E. Park, A.A. Nelson, J.A. Robertson, V. Iragavarapu. Driver Workload and Visual Studies. 0-5911-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2010.

K. Fitzpatrick, S.T. Chrysler, E. Park, A.A. Nelson, J.A. Robertson, V. Iragavarapu. Driver Workload at Higher Speeds. 0-5911-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2010.

S.T. Chrysler, A.A. Nelson. Driver Comprehension of Managed Lane Signing. 0-5446-3. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2009.

M.D. Finley, G.L. Ullman, A.A. Nelson. Path Guidance Information in Advance of Work Zones at Urban Freeway Interchanges. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, DC. 2009, pp. 45-51.

M.D. Finley, G.L. Ullman, A.A. Nelson. Guiding Force. Safety Today, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 2009.