Title: Pedestrian simulators for traffic research: state of the art and future of a motion lab

Authors: Ilja T. Feldstein; Christian Lehsing; André Dietrich; Klaus Bengler

Addresses: Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute, 20 Staniford St, Boston, MA 02144, USA; Technical University of Munich, Chair of Ergonomics, Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching, Germany ' Technical University of Munich, Chair of Ergonomics, Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching, Germany ' Technical University of Munich, Chair of Ergonomics, Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching, Germany ' Technical University of Munich, Chair of Ergonomics, Boltzmannstr. 15, 85748 Garching, Germany

Abstract: While classical driving simulators have for decades been a valuable tool for the investigation of human behaviour and validation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the development of pedestrian simulators is still in its beginning stages. However, with an increasing complexity of ADAS, it is not sufficient anymore to evaluate those uniquely from the perspective of a driver using driving simulators. Mainly based on motion tracking and virtual reality (VR) technology, pedestrian simulators are used to investigate human behaviour from the pedestrian perspective especially in urban traffic scenarios in a reproducible, safe, and cost-efficient way. This paper will help researchers starting off in this research field to gain insight into the state of the art of technology. It explains the potential and possible areas of application of this particular simulator paradigm and gives a detailed overview of some of the technologically most advanced virtual reality simulators used by various research institutes for pedestrian investigations.

Keywords: pedestrian simulator; virtual reality; VR; head-mounted display; HMD; motion capture; road crossing investigation; linked simulation; social interaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFMS.2018.096128

International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2018 Vol.6 No.4, pp.250 - 265

Received: 11 Dec 2016
Accepted: 18 Dec 2017
Published online: 13 Nov 2018 *

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