Development and Verification of a Truck Driving Simulator for Driver Drowsiness Studies

Field operational testing for the study of driver behavior requires extensive preparation and precaution measures to limit subjects risk exposure during experiment. Moreover, inherent variability in testing conditions may introduce error in the experiment results. Alternatively, a driving simulator offers the ability to replicate driving situations in a safe and repeatable experimental environment. The control of simulation conditions in a driving simulator allows independent study of driving factors and hence more efficient analysis of specific driving issues. In this project supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) a truck driving simulator was integrated for driver behavioral studies. A partnership was established between the Center for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR) and the Modeling, Simulation and Driving Simulators (MSIS) research unit of the French National Institute for Transport and Safety Research (INRETS). This paper presents the challenges associated with realistic replication of driving with special emphasis on truck driving simulation. The implementation and the capabilities of the new simulator and its subsystems are detailed. Equipment, instrumentation, simulation program, and interfacing elements of the simulator are presented. Developments specific to truck driving simulation and driver drowsiness analysis are reviewed. Procedures for evaluation and validation of the new simulator for drowsiness experiments are also described.