The Application of 3D Visual Interactive Drive Simulation Technology to Safer Road Design

This paper explores the application of 3D Visual Interactive Drive Simulation technology and virtual driving trials, to the design of a tunnelled highway junction in Tokyo, Japan. A 5- paneled virtual reality driving simulator allowed for road plans to be experienced from a driver’s perspective in a 3D real-time interactive environment. Surveys from subjects driving in the virtual environment, as well as behavioural information extracted from the scenarios, were used to assess the visibility of signs, road markings, guidance information, and evacuation routes. Results of the driving experiments show that only 20% of drivers observed proposed wall markings, 72% understood exit directions associated with particular colours, 50% noticed overhead traffic notices and 22% of drivers slowed upon observing warnings of upcoming traffic congestion. Surveys also determined that sign lettering should be made larger, and road markings a lighter blue. Finally, the effectiveness of the 3D Visual Interactive Simulation virtual reality tool for assisting with signage design and safety assessment is analyzed. Future directions for research and further practical applications for virtual trials are presented.

• Corporate Authors:

  ITS Japan

  Tokyo,   Japan 

  ITS America

  1100 17th Street, NW, 12th Floor
  Washington, DC  United States  20036

  ERTICO

  326 Avenue Louis
  Brussels,   Belgium  B-1050
• Authors:
  • Ito, Yuji
  • Lorentzen, T H
  • Hafferty, Brendan
  • Tazawa, Seiya
  • Goto, Hidenori
• Conference:
  • 17th ITS World Congress
  • Location: Busan , Korea, South
  • Date: 2010-10-25 to 2010-10-29
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: 17th ITS World Congress, Busan, 2010: Proceedings

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Drivers; Driving simulators; Highway design; Highway safety; Simulation; Three dimensional displays; Traffic signs; Virtual reality
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01363170
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 21 2012 12:47PM