scholarly journals Examination of Realism in a High-Fidelity Tractor Driving Simulator

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-137
Author(s):  
Kayla Faust ◽  
Carri Casteel ◽  
Daniel V. McGehee ◽  
Marizen Ramirez ◽  
Diane S. Rohlman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Steering Wheel ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
List Type ◽  
Driving Simulators ◽  
Simulated Driving ◽  
Perceived Realism ◽  
Farm Equipment ◽  
Equipment Operator

HighlightsDescribes the creation of a new high-fidelity tractor driving simulator.Describes the perceived realism of a tractor driving simulator among 99 Midwestern farm equipment operators.Examines how farm equipment operator characteristics affect perceived realism of a tractor driving simulator.Discusses potential improvements for future generations of tractor driving simulators.Abstract. Transportation-related incidents are the leading cause of occupational fatalities for all industries in the U.S., including the agricultural industry, which suffers thousands of crashes involving farm equipment each year. Simulated driving studies offer a safe and cost-effective way to conduct driving research that would not be feasible in the real world. A tractor driving miniSim was developed and then evaluated for realism at the University of Iowa among 99 Midwestern farm equipment operators. It is important for driving simulators to have a high degree of realism for their results to be applicable to non-simulated driving operations. High-fidelity driving simulators facilitate extrapolations made by driving research but should be re-tested for realism when changes are made to the design of the simulator. The simulator used in this study emulated a tractor cab with realistic controls, three high-resolution screens, and high-fidelity sound. After completing a 10-minute drive, farm equipment operators completed a survey and scored four specific domains assessing specific characteristics (i.e., appearance, user interface, control, and sound) of the tractor simulator’s realism using a seven-point Likert scale (from 0 = not at all realistic to 6 = completely realistic). An overall realism score and domain scores were calculated. Farm equipment operators were also asked to provide recommendations for improving the tractor miniSim. Overall, farm equipment operators rated the simulator’s realism favorably (i.e., >3 on a scale from 0 to 6) for all individual items and domains. The appearance domain received the highest average realism score (mean = 4.58, SD = 1.03), and the sound domain received the lowest average realism score (mean = 3.86, SD = 1.57). We found no significant differences in realism scores across farm equipment operator characteristics. The most frequently suggested improvements were to tighten the steering wheel (27%), make the front tires visible (19%), and that no improvements were needed to improve the simulator realism (18%). This study demonstrates that the new tractor miniSim is a viable approach to studying farm equipment operations and events that can lead to tractor-related crashes. Future studies should incorporate the suggested improvements and seek to validate the simulator as a research and outreach instrument. Keywords: Driving simulator, Farm equipment operators, Realism, Tractors.

A Customizable Human/Vehicle Interface for Enhanced Operator Performance

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Jensen ◽  
John Wagner ◽  
Kim Alexander ◽  
Philip Pidgeon
Keyword(s):  
Haptic Feedback ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Steering Wheel ◽  
Instrument Panel ◽  
The Road ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Feedback Channels

The emergence of cost effective electronics and actuators within the transportation industry allows the presentation of increased driver feedback for greater situational awareness. The operator feedback channels can be broadly divided into visual, audio, and haptic. To date, the automotive community has primarily relied on instrument panel lamps and buzzer/chime sounds to notify the driver of important information while the vehicle’s interaction with the road is mechanically communicated through the steering wheel “feel” and the driver seat motion. However, an opportunity exists to integrate the visual, audio, and haptic feedback channels in a more effective manner to increase driver safety. For instance, the driver may receive haptic driving information through high frequency and low amplitude steering wheel vibrations. Visual feedback may be presented in the form of LED lights on the dashboard and instrument cluster. Similarly, audio messages that are recognized through a different cognitive process than visual and haptic signals may be integrated into the cockpit. In this paper, a comprehensive approach is proposed for driver communication through visual, audio, and haptic feedback. Laboratory tests have been conducted with human subjects using a custom driving simulator to evaluate driver notification strategies. The effectiveness of each feedback channel is evaluated and the results demonstrate that the coordinated presentation of vehicle operational data through targeted feedback channels increase the operator’s overall safety.

scholarly journals Validation of Vehicle Driving Simulator from Perspective of Velocity and Trajectory Based Driving Behavior under Curve Conditions

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8429
Author(s):  
Liang Chen ◽  
Jiming Xie ◽  
Simin Wu ◽  
Fengxiang Guo ◽  
Zheng Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Lateral Displacement ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Driving Behavior ◽  
Steering Wheel ◽  
Vehicle Speed ◽  
Driving Simulators ◽  
Convenient Setting

With their advantages of high experimental safety, convenient setting of scenes, and easy extraction of control parameters, driving simulators play an increasingly important role in scientific research, such as in road traffic environment safety evaluation and driving behavior characteristics research. Meanwhile, the demand for the validation of driving simulators is increasing as its applications are promoted. In order to validate a driving simulator in a complex environment, curve road conditions with different radii are considered as experimental evaluation scenarios. To attain this, this paper analyzes the reliability and accuracy of the experimental vehicle speed of a driving simulator. Then, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the lateral deviation of the vehicle trajectory is carried out, applying the cosine similarity method. Furthermore, a data-driven method was adopted which takes the longitudinal displacement, lateral displacement, vehicle speed and steering wheel angle of the vehicle as inputs and the lateral offset as the output. Thus, a curve trajectory planning model, a more comprehensive and human-like operation, is established. Based on directional long short-term memory (Bi–LSTM) and a recurrent neural network (RNN), a multiple Bi–LSTM (Mul–Bi–LSTM) is proposed. The prediction performance of LSTM, MLP model and Mul–Bi–LSTM are compared in detail on the validation set and testing set. The results show that the Mul–Bi–LSTM model can generate a trajectory which is very similar to the driver’s curve driving and have a preferable generalization performance. Therefore, this method can solve problems which cannot be realized in real complex scenes in the simulator validation. Selecting the trajectory as the validation parameter can more comprehensively and intuitively reflect the simulator’s curve driving state. Using a speed model and trajectory model instead of a real car experiment can improve the efficiency of simulator validation and lay a foundation for the standardization of simulator validation.

Examining the Association Between Age and Tractor Driving Performance Measures Using a High-Fidelity Tractor Driving Simulator

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-175
Author(s):  
Kayla Faust ◽  
Carri Casteel ◽  
Daniel V. McGehee ◽  
Corinne Peek-Asa ◽  
Diane Rohlman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
List Type ◽  
Medical Diagnoses ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Farm Equipment ◽  
The Impact

Highlights This study uses a new tractor driving simulator to examine the impact of age on perception response time in an emergency braking situation. The results demonstrate increased risk for crash among older farm equipment operators. Abstract. Transportation-related incidents are the leading cause of occupational fatalities for all industries in the U.S. In the agriculture industry, where tractor-related incidents are the leading cause of occupational fatality, fatal crashes occur more frequently among senior farm equipment operators (FEOs) than younger FEOs. This study examined the association between age and driving performance among FEOs using a simulated driving environment. We demonstrated that older FEOs have longer perception response times when encountering an incurring semi-truck during a simulated drive than younger FEOs. These results persisted when adjusted for selected medical diagnoses and medications, tractor generation, and tractor horsepower. However, due to the small sample size and limitations of the tractor driving simulator, its use for event perception response time research is questionable. The tractor driving simulator used in this study may be better suited for distracted driving studies and studies comparing the ways in which FEOs drive passenger vehicles compared to tractors. Keywords: Driving simulation, Perception response time, Senior drivers, Tractor.

Research on Fidelity of Driving Simulators

2011 ◽  
Vol 308-310 ◽  
pp. 1880-1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Xin Li ◽  
Yan Ding Wei ◽  
Xiao Jun Zhou ◽  
Chun Yu Wei ◽  
Ming Xiang Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Algorithm ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Steering Wheel ◽  
Dynamics Modeling ◽  
Driving Simulators ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Road ◽  
Body Dynamics ◽  
Wheel Torque ◽  
Multi Body

Through analyzing the specialty and limitation of the current driving simulators, the main factors affecting fidelity of driving simulators are summarized. Then, a new driving simulator of high fidelity based on the multi-body dynamics is proposed, with focus on the dynamics modeling and the road feel. Furthermore, a control algorithm of the road feel is designed and by the means of co-simulations in MATLAB/Simulink and ADAMS environment, the measuring steering wheel torque proves the control algorithm of road feel is reasonable. The control algorithm has been put into practice and got satisfactory results.

Effects of Individual Differences, Attention, and Memory Deficits on Driver Distraction

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1196-1201
Author(s):  
Alejandro A. Arca ◽  
Kaitlin M. Stanford ◽  
Mustapha Mouloua
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Driver Distraction ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Adhd Diagnosis ◽  
Simulated Driving

The current study was designed to empirically examine the effects of individual differences in attention and memory deficits on driver distraction. Forty-eight participants consisting of 37 non-ADHD and 11 ADHD drivers were tested in a medium fidelity GE-ISIM driving simulator. All participants took part in a series of simulated driving scenarios involving both high and low traffic conditions in conjunction with completing a 20-Questions task either by text- message or phone-call. Measures of UFOV, simulated driving, heart rate variability, and subjective (NASA TLX) workload performance were recorded for each of the experimental tasks. It was hypothesized that ADHD diagnosis, type of cellular distraction, and traffic density would affect driving performance as measured by driving performance, workload assessment, and physiological measures. Preliminary results indicated that ADHD diagnosis, type of cellular distraction, and traffic density affected the performance of the secondary task. These results provide further evidence for the deleterious effects of cellphone use on driver distraction, especially for drivers who are diagnosed with attention-deficit and memory capacity deficits. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and directions for future research are also presented.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Kinect-Based and Oculus-Based Gaze Region Estimation Methods in a Driving Simulator

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
David González-Ortega ◽  
Francisco Javier Díaz-Pernas ◽  
Mario Martínez-Zarzuela ◽  
Míriam Antón-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Gaze Estimation ◽  
Driving Simulators ◽  
Oculus Rift ◽  
Gaze Patterns ◽  
And Performance

Driver’s gaze information can be crucial in driving research because of its relation to driver attention. Particularly, the inclusion of gaze data in driving simulators broadens the scope of research studies as they can relate drivers’ gaze patterns to their features and performance. In this paper, we present two gaze region estimation modules integrated in a driving simulator. One uses the 3D Kinect device and another uses the virtual reality Oculus Rift device. The modules are able to detect the region, out of seven in which the driving scene was divided, where a driver is gazing at in every route processed frame. Four methods were implemented and compared for gaze estimation, which learn the relation between gaze displacement and head movement. Two are simpler and based on points that try to capture this relation and two are based on classifiers such as MLP and SVM. Experiments were carried out with 12 users that drove on the same scenario twice, each one with a different visualization display, first with a big screen and later with Oculus Rift. On the whole, Oculus Rift outperformed Kinect as the best hardware for gaze estimation. The Oculus-based gaze region estimation method with the highest performance achieved an accuracy of 97.94%. The information provided by the Oculus Rift module enriches the driving simulator data and makes it possible a multimodal driving performance analysis apart from the immersion and realism obtained with the virtual reality experience provided by Oculus.

scholarly journals Self-fill oxygen technology: benefits for patients, healthcare providers and the environment

Breathe ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis Murphie ◽  
Nick Hex ◽  
Jo Setters ◽  
Stuart Little
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
List Type ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Unlimited Supply ◽  
Technology Benefits

“Non-delivery” home oxygen technologies that allow self-filling of ambulatory oxygen cylinders are emerging. They can offer a relatively unlimited supply of ambulatory oxygen in suitably assessed people who require long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), providing they can use these systems safely and effectively. This allows users to be self-sufficient and facilitates longer periods of time away from home. The evolution and evidence base of this technology is reported with the experience of a national service review in Scotland (UK). Given that domiciliary oxygen services represent a significant cost to healthcare providers globally, these systems offer potential cost savings, are appealing to remote and rural regions due to the avoidance of cylinder delivery and have additional lower environmental impact due to reduced fossil fuel consumption and subsequently reduced carbon emissions. Evidence is emerging that self-fill/non-delivery oxygen systems can meet the ambulatory oxygen needs of many patients using LTOT and can have a positive impact on quality of life, increase time spent away from home and offer significant financial savings to healthcare providers.Educational aimsProvide update for oxygen prescribers on options for home oxygen provision.Provide update on the evidence base for available self-fill oxygen technologies.Provide and update for healthcare commissioners on the potential cost-effective and environmental benefits of increased utilisation of self-fill oxygen systems.

6-DOF Motion System of Amphibious Vehicle Driving Simulator Motion Parameter Design Research

2011 ◽  
Vol 460-461 ◽  
pp. 704-709
Author(s):  
Shu Tao Zheng ◽  
Zheng Mao Ye ◽  
Jun Jin ◽  
Jun Wei Han
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Motion Parameter ◽  
Driving Simulators ◽  
Motion System ◽  
Vehicle Acceleration ◽  
Vehicle Driving Simulator ◽  
Simulator Motion ◽  
Result Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Vehicle driving simulators are widely employed in training and entertainment utilities because of its safe, economic and efficient. Amphibious vehicle driving simulator was used to simulate amphibious vehicle on land and in water. Because of the motion difference between aircraft and amphibious vehicle, it is necessary to design a reasonable 6-DOF motion system according to the flight simulator motion system standard and vehicle motion parameter. FFT of DSP and PSD were used to analysis the relationship between them. Finally according to the result analysis, a set of reasonable 6-DOF motion system motion parameter was given to realize the driving simulator motion cueing used to reproduce vehicle acceleration.

Drivers’ Gaze Behaviors are Influenced by Vehicle Position

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1625-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Okafuji ◽  
Takahiro Wada ◽  
Toshihito Sugiura ◽  
Kazuomi Murakami ◽  
Hiroyuki Ishida
Keyword(s):  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Gaze Behavior ◽  
Lateral Deviation ◽  
Simulated Driving ◽  
The Gaze ◽  
Fixation Distance ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Vehicle Position ◽  
Lane Keeping

Drivers’ gaze behaviors in naturalistic and simulated driving tasks have been investigated for decades. Many studies focus on driving environment to explain a driver’s gaze. However, if there is a great need to use compensatory steering for lane-keeping, drivers could preferentially acquire information directly required for the task. Therefore, we assumed that a driver’s gaze behavior was influenced not only by the environment but also the vehicle position, especially the lateral position. To verify our hypothesis, we carried out a long-time driving simulator experiment, and the gaze behaviors of two participating drivers were analyzed. Results showed that gaze behavior—the fixation distance and the lateral deviation of the fixation—was influenced by the lateral deviation of the vehicle. Consequently, we discussed processes that determined drivers’ gaze behaviors.

Study on Driver and Vehicle System With Lane-Tracking Control System Using Steering Torque Input

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masao Nagai ◽  
Hidehisa Yoshida ◽  
Kiyotaka Shitamitsu ◽  
Hiroshi Mouri
Keyword(s):  
Tracking Control ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Torque Control ◽  
Steering Wheel ◽  
Control Input ◽  
Steering Angle ◽  
Lane Tracking ◽  
Steering Torque

Abstract Although the vast majority of lane-tracking control methods rely on the steering wheel angle as the control input, a few studies have treated methods using the steering torque as the input. When operating vehicles especially at high speed, drivers typically do not grip the steering wheel tightly to prevent the angle of the steering wheel from veering off course. This study proposes a new steering assist system for a driver not with the steering angle but the steering torque as the input and clarifies the characteristics and relative advantages of the two approaches. Then using a newly developed driving simulator, characteristics of human drivers and the lane-tracking system based on the steering torque control are investigated.

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