Biography
Dr. Wei Zhang is a professor in human factors and ergonomics in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Tsinghua University. He received his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Tsinghua University in 1992, and Master and Ph. D. in mechanical engineering from Tsinghua in 1997. He was previously an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tsinghua from 2000 to 2001, and an associate professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering from 2001 to 2009. He was a post-doctoral research associated at New Jersey Institute of Technology and Missouri University of Science and Technology.
His research interests include human factors in driving safety, for example, how driver’s knowledge, attitude and behavior affect safety. In addition, Dr. Zhang is interested in capacity research, testing and intervention, vehicle safety device effectiveness evaluation, driving simulation nd road system evaluations. His main research methods include virtual reality, human-system simulation, with work motion tracking, simulation and evaluation.
Honors and Awards
Experimental technology first prize, Tsinghua University, 2008.
National Science and Technology Award, second prize, 2002
Beijing Science and Technology Award, first prize, 2001
US patent (6,253,116), 1999
Educational Background
1987. 9-1992.7 Undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University (with minor in Electric Engineering)
1992.9-1997.4 Master and PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University
Employment History
2009.12 to present Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering
2001.10-2009.11 Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University
2000.8-2001.9 Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University
1999.9-2000.8 Post-doctoral research associate, Missouri University of Science and Technology
1997.7-1999.8 Psot-doctoral research associate, New Jersey Institue of Technology
2005.3-4, 2006.1-2, 2008.1-2, 2009.1-2
Visiting Associate Professor at Ecole Centrale de Nantes (France)
2005.5-10 Visiting Associate Professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology
2007.7-8 Visiting Research Scientist at University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
2010.4-5 Visiting professor at Minghsin University of Science and Technology
Courses
Fundamentals of Human Factors
New Product Development Technology and Management
Manufacturing Technology II, graduate course for Sino-Germany exchange master program
Comprehensive Course Design of IE program, senior undergraduate course.
Students
1. Current PhD students(candidates): 2
2. Graduated PhD students: 2 (now post-docs at MIT and Nanyang Technological University)
3. Current full-time master students: 3
4. Graduated full-time master students: 18 (6 continued to PhD study in the USA, France, and Germany)
5. Current part-time master student (from industry): 10
6. Graduated part-time master students (from industry): 27
Research Interests
Driving Safety: Road accident data analysis and trend study; driver's knowledge, attitude, behavior, capacity research, testing, and intervention; vehicle safety device effectiveness evaluation; driving simulation; road safety management.
Human-System Simulation: Work motion tracking, simulation, and evaluation.
Virtual Reality and its applications.
Research Projects
National Natural Science Foundation sponsored project: Testing and Analysis of Driver's Hazard Perception and Evaluation of Simulation Interventions. 2008.1-2010.12, PI.
National Natural Science Foundation sponsored project: Fundamental Study on Collaborated Design and Rapid Manufacturing Technology. 2003.1-2005.12, PI.
National 863 Hi-Tech Project: Large Screen Multi-user Interaction Technology and Prototype Development. 2009.1-2010.12, Co-PI.
Five International Collaborated Research projects with Nissan (China), EADS, Mitsubishi Heavy Insdustry, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Proter and Gamble. Total funds: ~4 million Yuan, all completed.
Publications
W. Zhang, H. Xiao, L. H. Ran, X. Zhang (2008). China National Standard GB/T 5701-2008: "Indoor Thermal Conditions".
Wei Zhang, Omer Tsimhoni , Michael Sivak , Michael J. Flannagan (2010). “Road safety in China: Analysis of current challenges”. Journal of Safety Research, 41, pp. 25-30.
Y.B. Wang, W. Zhang, G. Salvendy (2010). “Effects of a Simulation-based Training Intervention on Novice Drivers’ Hazard Handling Performance”. Traffic Injury Prevention, 11 (1), pp. 16-24.
L. Ma, W. Zhang, H.Z. Fu, Y. Guo, D. Chablat, F. Bennis (2010). “A framework for interactive work design based on motion tracking, simulation, and analysis”. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 20 (4), pp. 339-352.
Y. Wang, W. Zhang, M.F. Lesch, W.J. Horrey, C.R. Chen, S. Wu (2009). “Changing drivers’ attitudes towards cell phone use through participative simulation testing and feedback”. Injury Prevention, 15 (6), pp. 389-389.
A.N. Wu, W. Zhang, X.L. Zhang (2009). “Evaluation of wayfinding aids in virtual environment”. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 25(1), pp.1-21
L. Ma, W. Zhang, D. Chablat, F. Bennis, F. Guillaume (2009). “Multi-objective optimisation method for posture prediction and analysis with consideration of fatigue effect and its application case”. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 57, pp.1235-1246.
R.G. Zhou, C.X. Wu, P.-L.P. Rau, W. Zhang (2009). “Young driving learners’ intention to use a handheld or hands-free mobile phone when driving”. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior, 12, pp. 208-217.
L. Ma, D. Chablat, F. Bennis, W. Zhang (2009). “A new simple dynamic fatigue muscle model and its validation”. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 39 (1), pp. 211-220.
W. Zhang, Y. H. Huang, M. Roetting, Y. Wang and H. Wei (2006). “Driver's views and behaviors about safety in China - What do they NOT know about driving?” Accident Analysis and Prevention, 38, pp. 22-27.
Y. H. Huang, W. Zhang, M. Roetting and D. Melton (2006). “Experiences from dual-county drivers: Driving safely in China and the US”. Safety Science, 44, pp. 785-795.
W. Zhang, H. Lin, W. H. Zhang (2006). “From virtuality to reality: Individualized freeform model design and rapid manufacturing”. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 15, pp. 445-459.
W. Zhang, M. C. Leu, Z. M. Ji, Y. N. Yan (1999). “Rapid freezing prototyping with water”. Materials and Design, 20, pp. 139-145.
Y.B. Wang, W. Zhang, G. Salvendy (in press). “A Comparative Study of Two Hazard Handling Training Methods for Novice Drivers”. Traffic Injury Prevention.
Y. Wang, W. Zhang, B. Reimer, M. Lavallière, M. Lesch, W. Horrey, S. Wu (in press). “The effect of feedback on attitudes towards cellular phone use while driving: a comparison between novice and experienced drivers”. Traffic Injury Prevention.
Tens of other Intl. Conference papers, Under-review intl. journal papers, and Chinese journal and conference papers.
