Integration of Human-in-the-Loop Driving Simulator with Microscopic Traffic Simulation

Driving simulator and microscopic traffic simulation are two important tools in transportation research. The former is used to study individual driver behaviors by placing human subjects in a realistic driving environment. The latter is used for traffic analysis by modeling individual vehicles and their interaction. Micro-simulation models provide realistic traffic patterns in terms of density and headway, which is something that the driving simulator lacks in its virtual environment. At the same time, micro-simulation models lack the human-in-the-loop aspect which a driving simulator could provide. This project will integrate the widely used VISSIM micro-simulation software into the equally popular NADS MiniSim™ driving simulator to create a human-in-the-loop driving environment with realistic traffic patterns. The two systems are intrinsically compatible since both use agent-based modeling to simulate individual vehicles. This project will be carried out in coordination with Iowa State University, whose study on work zone and vehicle emission modeling will use the integrated MiniSim-VISSIM system, and who will provide design input from the aspect of expert users of microscopic traffic simulation models. The output of this research will be improved traffic scenarios in the MiniSim software which will benefit all users of this system, including Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC) members University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Future applications of this capability include conducting human factors studies on impact of fuel economy displays on throttle usage and then using that behavioral data to conduct micro-simulations in VISSIM to assess impacts on vehicle emission and air quality.

• Record URL:
  http://matc.unl.edu/research/research_projects.php?researchID=400

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $62142.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT12-G-UTC07

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Iowa, Iowa City

  102 Church Street
  Iowa City, IA  United States  52242
• Principal Investigators:

  Hsieh, Haowei

• Start Date: 20120701
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20131231
• Source Data: RiP Project 32784

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality; Driving simulators; Headways; Pollutants; Traffic density; Traffic simulation
• Identifier Terms: VISSIM (Computer model)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Human in the loop simulation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01483142
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mid-America Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT12-G-UTC07
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jun 5 2013 1:01AM