University of Iowa researchers are using a virtual street in the Hank Virtual Environments Lab to try to make streets safer. One element of the study: checking to see if texters crossing the digital byway will heed a warning on their phone that counts down how many seconds they have left to safely cross the street. The research goal is to determine response differences between texting and non-texting pedestrians, both of whom receive warnings on their cell phones. The 18-month study eventually will examine the behavior of virtually all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, car drivers, truck drivers and transit users. Read more