VTI is contributing world-class simulation and simulator expertise to the EU project IN-SAFETY (Infrastructure and Safety). The project is part of the sixth EU framework programme. The project has the aim of improving traffic safety by developing new smart and cost effective technologies which shall reinforce the traditional road infrastructure and road environment.
IT based designs increase traffic safety
Measures taken in the physical road environment can reduce the number killed and injured on European roads. The high costs of new construction and road improvement schemes are a factor that limits traffic safety. By using solutions and measures in the existing infrastructure and, with these as the basis, developing new IT based designs, better cost effectiveness can be achieved. The project will demonstrate how new technologies can be used together with traditional physical measures, so that the effect of the combined measures is greater than the sum of the individual measures.
World-class simulator expertise
In the IN-SAFETY project, the expertise of VTI in areas such as driver behaviour, HMI, evaluation methodology, especially in the driving simulator, traffiic simulation and road design has been in particular demand.
- The new VTI driving simulator is to be used in the project to evaluate whether the new technologies have the potential to succeed. The driving simulator is among the best in the world and is a sought-after tool in the work.
VTI has a strong position in the field of simulation and its expertise in simulating road traffic is unique. In contrast to many other models, the VTI model permits both oncoming traffic and overtaking. The road model is being developed from event-controlled simulation to time-controlled simulation, which means that simulation will be updated at regular intervals. This makes it possible to simulate congestion and dense traffic, which is critical in the work on IN-SAFETY.
VTI’s input in the field of simulation is of great value for the project since it makes an important contribution to an understanding of the potential and the traffic effects of driver support, with the focus on the explanatory and driver-friendly aspects.
The project enables VTI to develop the interface between traffic simulation and driving in the driving simulator. The object is to create a simulated environment that combines a high degree of experimental control with traffic conditions that are more realistic than what is possible at present.
Behavioural study in the driving simulator
VTI will be one of four test sites for the experimental evaluation of the candidate measures. The evaluation will take place in the new VTI driving simulator. Information via grooved rumble strips in the carriageway will probably be included among the measures to be evaluated by VTI. The plan is to include young and tired drivers and to let them drive in a road environment. In order that the system/ traffic effects of the tested measures may be evaluated, the results of evaluation in the driver simulator will be used as input data in traffic simulations. What is new in this approach is that it creates the opportunity to judge what consequences the behaviours observed at the level of the individual, obtained in simulator tests, will have at system level.
Improvements at EU level
The project will make proposals for improved standards/specifications at European and national level. The improvements relate to the design of the road and the roadside area (carriageway marking, route guidance, etc), especially with a view to reinforcing the self explanatory and driver friendly character of different road environments.
Existing knowledge and ongoing r&d
There are several international projects which are within, or nearly related to, the field of research comprised in IN-SAFETY. Projects such as ADVISORS, AWAKE, IN-ARTE, GADGET, AC-ASSIST and SAFESTAR may be mentioned. The international projects are described in the Technical Annex. Several partners in IN-SAFETY have, in various constellations, participated in the previous projects, and IN-SAFETY will therefore have good access to the results of these, and will make today’s frontline knowledge its starting point.
For more information
anna.anund@vti.se