Driving simulator analysis of drivers’ behaviour in tunnels with obstacles

More information

Main author

Domenichini, L.

Co-Authors

La Torre, F.; Vangi, D.; Branzi, V.; Cialdai, C.; Meocci, M.; Virga, A.

Type of media

PDF

Publication type

Lecture

Publication year

2013

Publisher

22. EVU Conference, Florence

Citation

Domenichini, L.: Driving simulator analysis of drivers’ behaviour in tunnels with obstacles

EVU 2013 Florence DomenichiniThe behaviour of drivers on a highway track was studied, in particular when meeting an unexpected obstacle, consisting on a stationary car inside a tunnel. The research was carried out using the newly installed full scale dynamic driving simulator at the University of Florence. For this purpose a special virtual environment was produced, based on an actual Italian highway, also simulating two types of tunnel lighting: LED lights and sodium vapour lights. Twenty-one young subjects voluntarily participated to this experiment and, in the two scenarios, 36 tests were completed. The tests showed some differences in the manoeuvres the subjects performed to avoid the obstacle. A statistically significant difference was revealed as a function of the type of lighting, simulated LED lights often inducing a better driving behaviour in several respects.