Institute for Transport StudiesFaculty of Environment

University of LeedsDriving Simulator

Institute for Transport Studies (ITS)ITS is one of the world’s leading inter-disciplinary groups involved in teaching and research in transport studies and is the largest university-based transport teaching and research organisation in Europe.

Thanks to the simulator, the ITS Safety Group can undertake collaborative research with external partners which would be impossible to do on the road.

The Driving Simulator continues to develop using in-house expertise. In a research environment, where a wide range of studies are frequently undertaken, maintaining the ability to tailor virtual scenarios and experimental data collection to the exact requirements of a particular investigation is tremendously valuable.

Further informationHamish JamsonInstitute for Transport StudiesUniversity of Leeds

E: a.h.jamson@its.leeds.ac.ukT: +44 (0)113 343 5730W: www.its.leeds.ac.uk/facilities/uolds

Institute for Transport StudiesUniversity of Leeds

LeedsLS2 9JT

The University of Leeds Driving Simulator is one of most advanced in the world in a research environment and allows research into driver behaviour to be performed in accurately controlled and repeatable laboratory conditions.

The Driving Simulator consists of a Jaguar S-Type vehicle cab, with fully operational driver controls, contained within a ‘virtual world’ dome using real-time, fully textured 3-D graphical projections, with a high specification motion system to accurately provide a lifelike driving experience.

Key Features 4m spherical projection dome PC-based image generation (8 channel) Virtual world projection covering almost a 360° field of view 8 degree of freedom motion Driver feedback (pedals and steering) Industry standard visual modelling Realistic sound using 4 audio channels Driver eye-tracking Self contained monitoring laboratory

www.its.leeds.ac.uk/facilities/uolds/

The simulator incorporates a state-of-the-art motion base allowing long duration lateral acceleration and

prolonged longitudinal acceleration cues.

The motion-base also enhances the fidelity of the simulator by providing highly realistic inertial forces to the driver during braking and cornering. It also provides lifelike high frequency heave, allowing the simulation of road roughness and bumps, often felt by drivers encountering traffic calming measures such as speed bars and humps.

ResearchThe simulator provides the opportunity to carry out research into vehicle and road design, as well as driver behaviour.

Research projects already completed include;

The measurement of visual demand imposed by in-vehicle entertainment systems on novice and experienced drivers

Weather related intelligent speed adaptation Driver response to controllable failures of fixed and variable gain steering

Active bonnet system: The effect of partial occlusion on driver performance and safety

Drivers perception of secondary braking systems

The effectiveness of safety campaign VMS messages

An evaluation of driver behaviour in narrow running lanes