They just started a new study to find out how to keep people safe while crossing the streets.  It's been a problem on campus.  Two students have died after being hit.   Researchers hope this study saves lives at the U of I and everywhere.  They've created a 3-D world to simulate the real streets.  The goal is to keep people safe while they're crossing, even if they're listening to music or talking on the phone.

We see distracted pedestrians everyday, especially on the U of I campus. "If you're in a conversation on the phone, you're obviously not gonna pay as much attention to your surroundings," says student, Tina Mattila.

And for some, it's more than a phone or an I-pod causing the distraction.  "I have this habit of walking around reading while walking," says Nathan Frederickson, "and there were a couple times where I nearly killed myself."

Researchers on campus hope a 3-D world helps prevent people from getting hit.  They plan to examine the way people cross the street while being distracted.  "Right now, it's just a two way street," says programmer Jim Crowell as he points to the 3-D cube. "What if it was a real intersection with traffic lights and signals and all that."
 
Some students are skeptical of the research.  "I think that's pry a waste of money.  In a lab when you're simulating on a treadmill, I don't think that's what it's like in the real world," says Jacob Albrecht.

But the researchers say the room will help provide valuable information, like how to create technology that will alert us as we're crossing and not distract us.  "Can we also make I-pods that perhaps hear something about the ambient environment that perhaps shut off and say pay attention to you," says Director Hank Kaczmarski.

They're just starting the research now and hope what they learn in this virtual world can save lives in the real world.  One interesting thing they'll also be looking at is what people are listening to or talking about.  They say if it's an emotional topic or a song that reminds them of something, that's more of a distraction.