2.2.1 Driving simulator description:
The Newcastle University Driving Simulator is a Jentig 50 system from ST Software Simulator Systems in the Netherlands – seeST Software car driving simulator for driver training, assessment and researchfor more information. It can be thought of as a
medium fidelity simulator, generally used for familiarisation training for learners with the driving task. Figure 2 shows an example of a Jentig simulator set up.
The simulator consists of a cockpit unit (base, seat, seatbelt, gearstick, pedals, handbrake, ignition lock, steering wheel and indicator stalk switch), four networked PCs and five 50” screens. One PC drives the simulation software and the view to the front of the vehicle, two PCs are used to generate the left and right front, and left and right rear views, whilst the forth may be used for auxiliary data collection. All PCs are ‘locked’ together over the network so that simulator graphics are maintained at a smooth 60Hz. The PCs also simulate the dashboard of the vehicle, and any mirrors within the cockpit.
2.2.2 Simulator ‘Script’ Files
The simulator allows the running of ‘script’ files during operation. These scripts may be used to control many aspects of the simulator, e.g. to automate certain vehicle functions (e.g. to simulate a highly automated vehicle), generate other traffic on the road, drive various dashboard displays, provide
audio feedback to the driver, and to collect data regarding the simulation at a set frequency. For the two experimental scenarios tested a number of scripts were used to:
• Provide audio instruction to participants as to the scenario task;
• Simulate operation of highly automated vehicle (SAE level 3) in a particular Operational Design Domain (ODD) – in this instance, travelling down an carriageway road, in a semi-built up area;
• Alert the participant as to when a ToC for a Dynamic Driving Task (DDT) was required;
• Collect data parameters regarding the simulated vehicle’s kinematics and status of the cockpit controls, to allow analysis of driving performance of participants post ToC alarm.
2.2.3 Collected parameters
Table 2 describes the parameters collected from the simulator vehicle in each scenario.
