Today, the same high-resolution graphics used in computer games are taking simulators to a more sophisticated level while reducing costs. Environmental objects now have more realistic shapes, and simple polygon buildings are now being replaced with scanned photographs of businesses or landmarks. High-resolution graphics are also capable of adding minute details including oil stains on roadways and tree shadows on passing cars. TTI researcher Michael Manser is leading the effort to build TTI's PC-based driving simulator based on his experience at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Manser said conducting transportation research experiments with a simulator has significant advantages over real-world experiments.
Safety is the main advantage of a simulated experiment over a real-world experiment.
The simulator enables researchers to examine behaviors in accident-likely situations repeatedly, without putting the driver's life at risk. For example, testing the reaction time of a driver who is under the influence of alcohol is far safer in a simulator than in a real car on the road. A simulator is also ideal for testing older drivers' reaction and response times. An older driver's perceptual and peripheral views are more limited than the average driver, so it is safer for them to be tested in a simulator rather than at a real intersection. Although the PC-based system is less expensive, quality is not compromised.