Traffic Simulations with Emotional Effects: A Proposal for Core Affect Contagion

Abstract

In this position paper, we introduce the idea of using emotions as a mediator between high-level planning and reactive behavior for multiagent-based simulation of driving. After reviewing motivations and arguing for the importance of our approach, we focus on a simple case, namely the contagion of core affects. We propose to extend an existing architecture, allowing for selection of driving styles depending on the current core affect. In turn, core affect is influenced by the driver's perception of others driving styles. We conclude by sketching a preliminary model that could be used to describe the result of reciprocal affect influencing in the traffic context.