Handbook of Driving Simulation for Engineering, Medicine, and Psychology
Using Driving Simulators Outside of North America

Author
Barry H. Kantowitz, University of Michigan

Abstract
The Problem. While driving-simulator hardware is similar the world over, simulators are used differently in
different regions of the world. I argue that the safety culture of a region determines what problems should be addressed.
The Vision Zero safety culture of Europe promotes different simulator research than the military safety culture of the
United States. Role of Driving Simulators. While regional safety culture determines what problems have priority, local
opinion about features of driving microworlds such as tractability, realism, engagement, and validity determines how
simulator research is accomplished. Key Results of Driving Simulator Studies. European studies have demonstrated that
driving simulators are a useful tool for improving road safety. Scenarios and Dependent Variables. Specific examples
of European simulator research in the areas of highway design, driver constraints, and driver distraction/workload are
reviewed. Researchers from three institutions outside North America explain their philosophy of simulator use in their
own words. Platform Specificity and Equipment Limitations. All simulator users must solve administrative issues
allocating resources to a simulator facility. Simulators with different fidelity levels and different costs all can be
successfully applied to improving road safety.

Keywords
Safety Culture, Vision Zero, Tractability, Realism, Engagement, Validity

Key Points
• Simulator research is the joint product of safety culture and driving microworld features.
• Regional safety culture determines what issues are researched and what issues are ignored.
• Local institutional preferences for driving microworlds determine how simulator research is conducted.
• Driving microworlds vary in tractability, realism, engagement, and validity.
• Driving simulators are excellent test beds for highway design.
• Driving simulators are useful for examining constraints on driver behavior.
• Driving simulators are useful for studying driver distraction and workload.
• Simulator philosophies vary across countries and institutions.

Key Readings
Brehmer, B., and Dörner, D. (1993). Experiments with computer-simulated microworlds: Escaping both the narrow straits of the laboratory and the deep blue sea of field study. Computers in Human Behavior, 9, 171–184.

Federal Highway Administration. (2005). Roadway human factors and behavioral safety in Europe. (Report FHWA-PL-05-005). Retrieved from http://www.international.fhwa.dot.gov.

Kantowitz, B. H. (2001). Using microworlds to design intelligent interfaces that minimize driver distraction. Proceedings of the First International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design (pp. 42–57). Aspen, CO.

Kaptein, N. A., Theeuwes, J., and Van der Horst, A. R. A. (1996). Driving simulator validity: Some considerations. Transportation Research Record, 1550, 30–36.