Multi-modal Distributed Simulation Combining Cars, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians

Driving simulation is an important platform for studying vehicle automation. There are different methodological approaches to using this platform, with the majority of approaches using scripting or programmatic tools to simulate vehicle automation. A lesser-used approach is the Wizard-of-Oz (Woz) method, which has potential for increased flexibility and efficiency in designing and conducting experiments. This study aimed to design and evaluate a Woz experimental setup to examine the feasibility of this approach as an alternate method to conduct automation studies. Twenty-four participants experienced simulated vehicle automation in two platforms, one where the automation was a result of programmed algorithms, and the other where the automation was simulated by an external operator. Surveys were administered after each of the drives, and the drivers’ takeover performance after the automation disengaged was measured. The results indicate that while the kinematic parameters of the automated driving differed significantly for the two platforms, there were no significant differences in the perceptions of participants and in their takeover performance between the two platforms. These results provide evidence for the use of alternate simulation approaches for the conduct of human factors studies on vehicle automation, potentially lowering barriers to undertaking such experiments while increasing flexibility in designing more complex experiments.

• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Massachusetts, Amherst

  Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
  Amherst, MA  United States  01003

  Safety Research Using Simulation University Transportation Center (SaferSim)

  University of Iowa
  Iowa City, IA  United States  52242

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Pradhan, Anuj K
  • 0000-0002-7612-4208
  • Fitzpatrick, Cole D
  • 0000-0002-9873-1391
  • Knodler Jr, Michael
  • 0000-0002-6517-4066
  • Pai, Ganesh
  • 0000-0002-5151-9860
  • Widrow, Sarah
  • 0000-0002-8686-6512
  • Radadiya, Jaydeep
  • 0000-0001-9180-3666
• Publication Date: 2020-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 26p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algorithms; Automation; Autonomous vehicle handover; Autonomous vehicles; Driving simulators; Feasibility analysis; Kinematics; Methodology; Perception; Surveys
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01738477
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747131
• Files: UTC, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 29 2020 5:40PM