Katharina Preuk

Multi-Road User Simulation: Methodological Considerations from Study Planning to Data Analysis

Since a few years, multi-road user simulators offer the possibility to investigate social interactions in virtual study environments. However, this new tool requires an own study methodology. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is an encompassing methodological consideration of multi-road user simulations. The methodological conclusions of several studies using various multi-road user simulations (driver-driver simulation, multi-driver simulation, driver-pedestrian-simulation, driver-motorcyclist simulation) during the UR:BAN project are summarized and demands and recommendations concerning study planning, study conduction and data analysis are presented. The benefits and challenges of multi-road user simulations are compared to single-driver simulations. Finally, it is considered for which research questions the multi-road user simulation is appropriate.

Encounters Between Drivers with and Without Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems

Cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) are among the most promising innovations in present automobile industry. When evaluating those systems, possible effects on surrounding traffic have not been investigated properly. The necessity to research encounters of drivers with and without such systems is discussed. Tools, methods and parameters to enable researching these encounters are outlined and argued in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. First study results focusing on encounters of unequipped vehicles’ drivers (UVDs) with a driver with traffic light assistance system are presented. The study results and their implications highlight the need for system developers and researchers to take effects on UVDs into account for the development and evaluation of C-ITS. Remaining unanswered questions are presented to pave the way for new research initiatives.