Developing a high fidelity ground vehicle simulator for human factors studies

Abstract

This chapter describes the Iowa Driving Simulator (IDS) facility at the University of Iowa and examines the requirements for high-fidelity driving simulation. It also establishes a baseline for future simulator development by providing a description of simulators currently operating at the IDS facility. Current research falls into the categories of a) virtual prototyping of vehicles, b) virtual prototyping of infrastructure and control systems, c) human performance studies, d) driving behaviour and fitness to drive and e) basic simulator technology development. The simulator has been used to evaluate driver performance in simulated Intelligent Vehicle Highway System environments including computer controlled headway maintenance. For the covering abstract see IRRD 876074.