This
large scale Driving Simulator was planned and built for the Research
Institute of the Highway Ministry of Transport in China (RIOH) to be
used in their traffic and safety research work. It was designed and
built in accordance with their detailed specification, the whole
project being managed throughout by FORUM 8 engineers. In January 2009,
FORUM8 received the order for customized development of this Driving
Simulator following an international tender and in February 2014, the
Final Acceptance Test was complete, marking the completion of the
entire project. The following is an explanation of the features and an
overview of the high performance large-scale Driving Simulator based on
FORUM 8's Real-Time Interactive 3D Virtual Reality Simulation &
Modeling Software UC-win/Road.
 |
 Figure 6 8DOF Traffic Safety Simulator |
System configuration
 |
| Figure 7 System configuration image |
Overall system image
The
8DOF Traffic Safety Simulator is a high performance large-scale Driving
Simulator based on award winning real-time Interactive 3D VR Simulation
& Modeling software UC-win/Road. This large scale Driving Simulator
was planned and built for RIOH, to their precise specification, to be
used for their traffic and safety research activity. In January 2009,
FORUM8 won an international tender for the customized development of
this Driving Simulator and delivered the completed Driving Simulator in
February 2014.
 |
| Figure 8 Overall system image |
Expected outcomes and functions
1. Function designed for driver behavior research Having
the ability to reproduce the driver's driving sensation accurately, the
simulator enables the users to conduct driving behavior research to
evaluate a whole host of 'human factors' which may affect road traffic
system.
- Measuring and analyzing a driver's psychological
characteristics and conducting research based on the results (lane
change, acceleration/deceleration, turning, etc.)
- Researching
the driving behavior of individuals divided into age groups
(youth/adults/seniors, etc.)
- A function for researching the
effects on traffic safety due to a variety of driver distractions
(mobile phone, radio, etc.)
- The effect on traffic safety due to tiredness
- A
function for researching the influence of alcohol, disease and drugs on
traffic safety, and impaired driving behavior
2. Road traffic safety research functions This
simulator possesses road traffic safety research functions useful for
research based on the status and design of the individual 'road' within
the road traffic system.
- A function for road safety assessment at the design stage
- A function for road safety assessment at the management and maintenance stage
- Researching
the technology for maintaining drivers' safety when they are traveling
in special sections of the road (long downhill road, tunnels, sharp
curves, intersections, etc.)
- A function that enables detailed
research into driving safety under changing road conditions including
lighting, induction, and visibility
- VR optimization design function for road landscape and traffic facility installation
- A
function that enables detailed research on technology for maintaining
road safety under conditions in which multiple drivers are operating
within the same transport network
3. Traffic safety research under special environmental circumstances
This
simulator enables the user to investigate the effects and subsequent
driving actions under a range of different environmental conditions.
- A
function for traffic safety research under bad weather conditions (fog,
ice and snow, high and low temperature, snowstorm, wind, etc.).
- A
function for traffic safety and emergency and security countermeasure
research under extreme traffic conditions (traffic accidents, abnormal
traffic incidents, etc.).
4. Other functions
As
the FORUM 8 Driving Simulator can faithfully reproduce the real driving
sensation it has many other applications in driving behavior research.
For example:
- A function that enables the validation of the latest in-vehicle ITS systems
- A function that reproduces traffic accidents and judicial test function.
|
