Handbook of Driving Simulation for Engineering, Medicine, and Psychology

Twelve Practical and Useful Questions about Driving Simulation

Authors
Jeff K. Caird, University of Calgary
William J. Horrey, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety

Abstract
The Problem. A number of practical questions or concerns are frequently expressed about driving simulators. For example, what can you use a driving simulator for? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a simulator? Probably the most important question though is whether driver behavior in a simulator mimics that which is exhibited while driving in the real world. These and other epistemological questions are discussed. Role of Driving Simulators. The first driving simulator research paper appeared in 1934. Since then, driving simulators have evolved into a flexible means to measure a variety of variables while drivers drive in a wide range of traffic environments. Empirically, driving simulation allows researchers to exert control over confounding variables that are common in actual driving. Testing of drivers in crash-likely conditions is also possible, which for ethical reasons cannot be done in the real world. Uses of driving simulators for research are discussed. Key Results of Driving Simulator Studies. Some have claimed that driving simulator research has not contributed to the progression of knowledge about driving performance, behavior, or safety. An inspection of the chapters in this handbook attests to the scope and scale of contributions. Further, the corpus of research using simulation has been constant and is now increasing. Areas of contributions are analyzed. Scenarios and Dependent Variables. The selection of scenarios that address certain research questions is dependent on the joint capability of a simulator and research team, which often evolves with experience. A list of common dependent variables is provided. Platform Specificity and Equipment Limitations. A realistic appraisal of a simulator’s capabilities in light of the results produced is required, including limitations therein.

Keywords
History, Philosophy of Science, Epistemology, Simulation Validation

Key Points
• Studies that have used driving simulation since the 1970s have contributed to a number of important research areas including human factors and traffic safety.
• Driving simulators are inherently neither bad nor good methodologically. How simulators are used by researchers can result in high-quality research or results that are open to criticism.
• Threats to internal and external validity in driving simulation can, in part, be addressed by attention to a number of methodological details.
• Driving performance in simulators may provide an optimistic view of drivers’ capabilities relative to actual behavior.
• In the future, the cost of driving simulators will decrease, realism will increase, and applications are likely to expand.

Web Content
Web Figure 5.1: Link flight simulator (left) and terrain map (right) displayed at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Web Figure 5.2: Link flight simulator comic showing simulator sickness or vertigo circa 1942 displayed at the Canadian Air Force Hall of Fame Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

Key Readings
Abelson, R. P. (1995). Statistics as principled argument. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Evans, L. (2004). Traffic safety. Bloomfield Hills, MI: Science Serving Society.

Gibson, J. J., and Crooks, L. E. (1938). A theoretical field-analysis of automobile driving. American Journal of Psychology, 51(3), 453–471.

Shinar, D. (2007). Traffic safety and human behavior. Amsterdam: Elsevier.