Driving Simulator | NC State ISE
Driving Simulator
To make NC highways safer for everyone, researchers at NC State’s Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and System Engineering (ISE) are using a first-of-its-kind driving simulator.
This driving simulator offers a 315-degree view, thanks to its seven mounted screens on a moving platform. Meanwhile, you sit behind the wheel of a fully interactive vehicle, complete with gear shifts, brakes, and a modern steering wheel. Consequently, researchers can observe safety-critical situations without putting drivers at risk.
In fact, it’s the first simulator in the country to test future technology distractions. Surprisingly, only a handful of labs worldwide have this capability. With this system, researchers can measure how quickly a driver gets distracted. As a result, they gain valuable insights into safety.
Cutting-Edge Research Applications:
- Human Factors
- Advanced Vehicle Safety Systems
- Cognitive Response
- Physical Impairment
- Distracted Driving
Make sure to check out the faculty and students in the Driving Simulator Lab.
It’s the first simulator in the country to test future technology distractions. Only a handful of labs worldwide have this capability. With this system, researchers can measure how quickly a driver gets distracted.
Current Driving Simulator Research Projects
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a growing problem in the United States. For example, distractions can range from switching radio stations to texting behind the wheel. Unfortunately, experts say it will only get worse.
Because of this, Dr. Jing Feng, a Psychology associate professor, and ISE researchers work to address this issue. Specifically, they study human factors to promote safer driving habits and better use of new technology. As a result, their research can help reduce accidents caused by distractions.
Message Delivery in Manual and Automated Driving
Self-driving cars are the future; however, they may cause drivers to pay less attention to the road. Therefore, researchers, led by Professors Kaber and Feng, study how these attention changes impact safety.
Supported by the NC Department of Transportation, the team uses the driving simulator to test different message delivery methods. For instance, they focus on two scenarios: manual and automated driving.
As a result, researchers hope to determine the safest way to share road information through in-vehicle messages. Moreover, future technology may replace highway billboards with GPS notifications or car monitor ads. Ultimately, their goal is to create guidelines that ensure drivers receive critical information without compromising safety.
Pinpointing the Needs of Older Drivers
Age-related cognitive changes can affect driving abilities. For this reason, researchers use the driving simulator to identify areas where older drivers struggle. For example, left turns often pose a higher risk.
This project aims to provide personalized training and rehabilitation methods. Consequently, by pinpointing individual needs, older drivers can stay safer on the road. In addition, the findings can help create tools tailored to specific challenges older drivers face.
An Assessment of Safety and Geometric Design Criteria for Diverging Diamond Interchanges
DDIs are becoming more common across the United States. However, there are no standard design guidelines yet. Because of this, researchers use the driving simulator to study driver behavior at these interchanges.
The simulator replicates realistic driving scenarios, both on and off-road. Likewise, it can simulate left- or right-hand driving, emergency events, and other custom environments.
By analyzing driver responses, the project evaluates safety and design features of DDIs. As a result, researchers will recommend guidelines to improve geometric design standards nationwide. Therefore, their work will help engineers design safer interchanges in the future.
Collaboration Across Fields
The ISE Department collaborates with several agencies and departments to conduct these critical studies. For example, partners include:
- NC Department of Transportation
- Department of Psychology
- Office of Research and Innovation
- Institute for Transportation Research & Education
Together, these teams look beyond the present. In fact, their goal is to understand driving behavior today and prepare for what’s coming tomorrow. Furthermore, through these partnerships, researchers can tackle large-scale projects that span multiple fields.
Ready to see the future of driving? Experience the driving simulator today.
More Information
A FORUM8 Case Study
Simulator Study of Driver Responses to Pedestrian Treatments at Multilane Roundabouts
The Effects of Visual and Cognitive Distraction on Driver Situation Awareness