Fields of interest and demands for a digital proving ground twin

Abstract

The general understanding among scientists in the field of intelligent vehicles is that physical testing alone is not sufficient to achieve full driving automation in an economically acceptable period. Virtual testing methods are perceived as an effective option to decrease development times and costs for intelligent vehicles. We propose to utilize digital proving ground twins in order to verify the reliability of driving simulations by test replication under real environmental conditions. To investigate this proposal, we conducted a potential users survey to infer specifications for such a digital proving ground twin. The survey shows a consensus among engineers regarding the expected benefit of a digital proving ground twin. Next to the track geometries, environmental conditions, such as adverse weather, were stated as the most important aspect of a digital proving ground twin. Vehicle-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test methods achieved the highest importance rank for applications of the twin. Engineers in the field of automated driving systems and engineers with a work focus on driving simulators expect the highest benefit of it. This article verifies the added value of test track digitalization and provides essential information on how and where to implement virtual simulation infrastructure for transportation system tests. The revealed knowledge can be used to accelerate the development of automated driving systems. Thus, it contributes to a faster reduction of road accidents and emissions. The results are highly relevant to strategists and managers that determine the development of automated driving systems by establishing policies or assigning investment budgets.