Low Cost Driving Simulation for Research, Training and Screening Applications

Interactive driving simulation is attractive for a variety of applications, including screening, training and licensing, due to considerations of safety, control and repeatability. However, widespread dissemination of these applications will require modest cost simulator systems. Low cost simulation is possible given the application of PC level technology, which is capable of providing reasonable fidelity in visual, auditory and control feel cuing. This paper describes a PC based simulation with high fidelity vehicle dynamics, which provides an easily programmable visual data base and performance measurement system, and good fidelity auditory and steering torque feel cuing. This simulation has been used in a variety of applications including screening truck drivers for the effects of fatigue, research on real time monitoring for driver drowsiness and measurement of the interference effect of in-vehicle IVHS tasks on driving performance. This paper discusses the characteristics of the simulation, including vehicle dynamics and visual, auditory and proprioceptive cueing and a unique scenario definition language (SDL) for defining driving scenarios and performance measurement. Potential low cost simulator applications are reviewed, along with issues of fidelity and validity.