APPLICATIONS OF VR SYSTEMS FOR ROAD AND
TRAFFIC SAFETY
Reid Baker, Yuji Ito
FORUM8 Co, Ltd. - Tokyo, Japan
Virtual reality (VR) is the continuing standard in testing solutions for safety and otherneeds related to road and traffic planning. This is because of the cost effective nature andthe ability to create an effective testing environment without compromising participant
safety. This paper describes the components of a real-time VR simulation system,
including: a software program for visualization, a comprehensive hardware system thatcan reproduce both the feeling and behaviors of a vehicle, and the force control loading
system that links the driver and their actions to the hardware and software. Case studies
from Meijo University, Japan's National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victim's Aid,and Kinki Regional Development Bureau will be presented, highlighting their diverse
applications of VR systems for traffic and road safety.

Introduction
Virtual Reality (VR) technology, including software and hardware systems, continue to grow inusage and popularity among planners and developers from a wide range of industries, including
traffic and road safety. VR technologies can provide opportunities to experience new plans andconcepts for anything from new vehicle technology, to future road designs. Using VR as a tool tovisualize and interact with these plans and concepts allows for a cost-effective and controlled way
to determine in full 3D, how a system behaves and its effectiveness in a manner that is often morecomprehensive than the interpretation of 2D plans alone. Further, this is useful when trying tounderstand effectiveness with varying publics as well, without the need to actually compromisesafety to test. The integration of software and hardware systems is the key to creating meaningfulVR experiences, which rely on the software to dictate the visual information while the hardware
enables direct, real-time user interaction.
UC-win/Road (software) and the UC-win/Road Drive Simulator (hardware) together act as a total
package for creating and then experiencing VR environments. Case studies made in Japan from
Meijo University, the National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victim's Aid (NASVA), and theKinki Regional Development Bureau present different strategies for improving safety through theapplication of VR solutions.
SoftwareUC-win/Road is a real-time, 3D VR software package which can be used as a tool to visualize
environments from planning stages through realization [1]. The primary feature is the road editing
toolset, used to create roads with alignments ranging in complexity. These roads are thenrepresented in the VR space with 3D geometry and accompanying 2D textures.
AI based traffic simulations in UC-win/Road create traffic directly on the roads, following thealignments properly. Further, scenario editing tools allow for the creation of complex situations.

This can be especially effective for testing traffic and road safety through the use of scripted eventsas UC-win/Road allows users to assume a driver's perspective while navigating the VR space.
Finally, along with roads, additional visual information becomes necessary to create a holistic VRenvironment. With UC-win/Road, 3D buildings, trees, pedestrians and traffic related objects workin tandem to create a 'realistic' VR environment which is especially useful in public-oriented traffic
safety testing by mitigating one's ability to perceive the VR space as fake.

[2] Simulation carried out at Daishi junction[3] Ishikawa-cho Junction Simulation

Hardware
The UC-win/Road Drive Simulator is a complementing component to the UC-win/Road software,
acting as the interactive device, which is in the familiar form of a car interior. A force control
loading system then acts as the link between the hardware and the software, allowing theparticipants to interact directly with the software's VR environment.
A basic driving simulator, like the UC-win/Road Drive Simulator, features a 1/4 size car cabin,complete with an "active" steering wheel (force-feedback steering), working dashboard, gear shifter,and more. Additionally, advanced systems can include a platform for movement. Such motion
platforms can provide 2 or more degrees-of-freedom (DOF), enhancing the users perception of theVR environment through added realism in interaction.

DS System with DOF motion platform
As the participant assumes control of a vehicle in UC-win/Road, they can navigate the roadways
with the vehicle simulator, interacting as one would expect to do in a normal vehicle.

Case Studies
1. Driving Ability Measurement for Senior Citizen VR Simulation - Meijo University
At Meijo University, a student and professor sought to gain an understanding of the drivingbehaviors of senior citizens. The resulting customized solution took advantage of a driving
simulator and with the UC-win/Road software, a testing environment was crafted with specificscenarios geared at testing senior citizens. These tests focused on the following areas: reaction times(for pedestrians and other environmental factors, including traffic), braking times, and stopping
distance. The VR system logged this information and provided quantitative data for analysis. [4][4] Driving Ability Measurement for Senior Citizen VR Simulation - Meijo University
2. Simulated driving diagnosis system using CG simulation - National Agency for Automotive Safety& Victim's Aid (NASVA)
Similar to Meijo University, NASVA sought to create a comprehensive and accessible system tocollect information pertaining to driver habits and provide direct feedback. The goal was to reduce
accidents by identifying negative behaviors associated with driving, targeting such individuals as
professional drivers, elderly drivers, and new drivers. VR became the method of choice inunderstanding behaviors, and using a customised system, information on the way a driven vehicle
moves through traffic and its associated actions within the VR space is recorded. Like Meijo
University's research, scenarios are utilized to create specific events that allow for more structured
testing of an individual's driving behavior.
For this case study, a unique system was developed for processing and giving feedback to its users
in the form of NASVA NET. This improved on the original system because it can collect simulation
data through an internet connection, reducing the need to travel to specific facilities for testing.
Feedback on driver habits is provided directly through this internet system. [5][5] Simulated driving diagnosis system using CG simulation - NASVA

3. Fukui Coastal Route Drive - Kinki Regional Development Bureau
The Fukui Coastal highway in Japan is well known for its volume of traffic accidents. Duringreconstruction efforts to improve safety on this dangerous road, the Kinki Regional Development
Bureau employed an unconventional method to improve safety through the use of a VR system,
including both software and hardware.
With UC-win/Road, several kilometres of the new roadway plans were developed in VR. In aneffort to inform the public of the new plans, a small stand-up simulator has been setup at a rest-stop
to display the interactive data. The intention of this is to allow individuals to experience the newroads and gain an understanding of how to navigate them before actually doing so, increasing safety
through education. Diverse weather conditions can also be experienced, which can affect visibility.
[6]

References[1] FORUM8 Co., Ltd., UC-win/Road, http://www.forum8.com/, available on 4/26/2009[2] Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited, Kanagawa Construction Bureau, Simulation
Carried Out at the Daishi Junction and Ventilation Place (in Japanese). (2007)[3] Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited, Kanagawa Construction Bureau, Ishikawa-cho
Junction Simulation (In Japanese). (2007)[4] Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Fukui Coastal Route Drive Simulation withUC-win/Road, 2008. (In Japanese)[5] Meijo University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Information
Engineering, Driving Ability Measurement for Senior Citizen VR Simulation (in Japanese).
(2007)[6] National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victim's Aid (NASVA), Simulated driving
diagnosis system using CG simulation (In Japanese). (2008)