Driving simulator

Why do accidents occur more frequently in certain traffic situations? How much does the use of a navigation device distract the person at the wheel? How should the transfer between automatic and manual driving mode be organized?

These and other questions can be examined in our institute's traffic psychology laboratory.

At the heart of the laboratory equipment is a static driving simulator consisting of a Golf 6 vehicle element and a special panoramic screen. A central aspect of driving simulators is their realism. After a short familiarization phase, controlling the simulator feels completely natural. The special screen's concave curvature increases immersion, i.e. makes it easier to immerse yourself in the virtual world. Displays in the rear-view mirrors allow you to look behind you. Various information can be shown on a speedometer display, for example on assistance systems. A display in the center console allows further displays and the execution of secondary tasks.

The simulator can be combined with other measurement systems to record driver behavior in as much detail as possible. For example, ifab can use systems for eye tracking or for measuring physiological parameters.

Silab

With the help of the Silab simulation software, almost any traffic situation (e.g. country road, highway or inner-city traffic) can be simulated in the simulator. In addition to the route, the climatic conditions can also be changed and the behavior of other road users can be precisely controlled. This makes it possible to conduct valid tests in all conceivable scenarios without having to accept the imponderables of real road traffic. The software also allows automated control of the driver's own vehicle, making it possible to conduct test subject experiments in the field of autonomous driving.