###### Abstract  
The paper presents a proposed methodology for designing and planning research on driver behavior at pedestrian crossings using whole-vehicle simulators. It was assumed that dedicated research should be conducted in specific problem contexts. The problems identified were the identification of hazards and the risk of accidents involving vulnerable road users. The purpose of this identification is to determine the determinants of safety at pedestrian crossings, which should constitute guidance when designing new solutions for safety support systems at pedestrian crossings. A number of hazard factors were identified; divided into categories, including types of crossings, location, and surroundings; behavior of vulnerable road users; and attention (focus) distractors, both inside and outside the vehicle. A method for defining and selecting research scenarios and selecting a group of research participants was proposed. Additionally, it was proposed to conduct repeatable test scenarios for different driving speeds and different weather conditions. With respect to the publications on this topic, this work focuses on the process of designing and planning dedicated simulation studies, which may provide a source of guidance and good practices for other researchers. This is an example of how interdisciplinary research involving human factors, traffic organization, and ITS systems can be planned and implemented. pedestrians; drivers; driving simulators; road safety; pedestrian crossings +
Footnote †: journal: Applied  
Article  
Footnote †: journal: Applied  
The issue of driver behavior is very important, especially with regard to the consequences that may arise for vulnerable road users, i.e., the risk of traffic accidents. Despite many driver education campaigns [11], it is assumed that driver behavior is a contributing factor to the majority of road accidents worldwide, so it is extremely important to have as much knowledge as possible about the various factors and their impact on the possibility of a road accident occurrence. This topic is so important that, according to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 1.3 million fatal accidents and between 20 and 50 million accidents [12] involving drivers and vulnerable road users each year. According to the accepted standards, there are different methods of data collection used to analyze individual driver profiles. One of the methods that can be used is the demographic profile binning method [13]. Other methods are those involving the use of different types of tests, questionnaires, psychological interviews, and other tools related to learning about drivers' behavior according to what they themselves declare in terms of the risks they are willing to take when driving a motor vehicle in relation to overall road transport safety [14]. In addition, it is possible to collect data by reading recorded information from devices on the vehicle. This type of study offers the possibility of tracking driver behavior not only at the time of the measurement itself, under controlled conditions, but offers the possibility of a continuous, uninterrupted cycle of data collection [15]. In addition, observational studies are also performed and individual situations archived via video cameras are analyzed. Responses to road situations may be examined using computer simulators [16]. Methods using simulation devices--simulators--aim to replicate, as closely as possible, the real-life conditions in which individual situations can occur. However, there is a safety buffer in the tests that are carried out in a safe manner, excluding the risk factors associated with the fact that health or life will be endangered in the event of a non-compliant response, as may occur in normal traffic. It also involves the responsibility of those who carry out such tests. It would be very difficult under real conditions to study the reaction of drivers during situations such as skidding in normal traffic conditons, which could have fatal consequences, such as a road accident.