Simulation Studies 

 

The simulation will allow the project to better determine the suitable thresholds of retro-reflectivity where a reasonable impact on human behaviour can be observed.  This will facilitate the determination of the performance levels of the materials used for the track test.

 

Simulation Test Design

This simulation test will take into account several parameters: 

-     Different driving conditions: day/night weather dry/wet/wet and rainy

-     Road marking performance: level of visibility

-     Road Geometry: straight, curved, smooth uphill and downhill sections

-     Age and gender

 

The simulation will involve 90 drivers.  Three age groups are analysed: 20-40, 41-60 and 61+ years old drivers, both male and female.

  

Age Group	20-40 years		41-60 years		61 years and over
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
n=90	15	15	15	15	15	15

  

 

To avoid biased results, test subjects will be specifically pre-selected by means of reactivity, peripheral perception and visual abilities in order to provide homogenous test groups.  Furthermore, the project will aim to select drivers who are within core of the age brackets (and avoid the periphery) to ensure the sample is as representative as possible.

 

Simulated Driving Environment

 

The drive test will use only one type of vehicles, i.e. passenger car.

The reference driving scenarios will involve a 5 km road, each scenario reproducing specific driving conditions for a given level of visibility. The duration of the full test is approx. 30 min drive for all the requested conditions, with 5 to 6 min drive per scenario (average speed approx. 60 km/h i.e. 1 km per min).

The road markings geometry (width, length, modulation of broken lines including gaps, position on the road) will be based on the French regulation, given the sample of subjects.

For night driving, 4 thresholds of performance should be tested for wet and rain conditions (2 for dry conditions).

Concerning traffic conditions, as crossing vehicles headlamps can trouble the driver’s vision, the scenarios will include a low rural traffic (cars and some trucks).

Compilation of the individual data and subsequent analysis will involve analysing: 

 

-   The effect of different levels of road markings visibility on speed and trajectory of users by night under wet and rain conditions (measured indicators)

-  The effect of different levels of road markings visibility on the declared perception of the road by the subjects tested on simulator (satisfaction, confidence)

-   The determination of the performance levels of the materials used for the track test and the on-site test

 

 

Pictures of the Simulator