SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project: Automated Generation of Virtual Scenarios in Driving Simulator from Highway Design Data

Project Number:  476660-00018

Principal Investigator:
Susan Chrysler
(979) 862-3928
P.I. Affiliation:  Texas A&M University

Project Monitor:
Prof. Nic Ward
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Dept.
220 Roberts Hall
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
(406) 994-5942

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/09

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/10

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $65,475

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $65,475

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
This project will extend the usefulness of TTI’s new Driving Simulator by creating a library of custom roadway types and scenery for use in highway design research.  Driving simulators come with “stock” roadway scenes, many of which are not 100% accurate in geometric design, traffic control devices, and roadside safety hardware.  This project will use commercially available 3rd party software to create new roadway scenes directly from 3-D roadway design drawing files.  The project will attempt to automate this process and will identify the steps and obstacles needed to accomplish this automation.

Project Objectives:
The project has two main objectives:

1. Develop a library of roadway tiles that extends the capability of the TTI simulator.  The content of these tiles will be developed and prioritized by meeting with potential users of the simulator in the TTI Traffic Operations Divisio, TTI Systems and Planning Division, TAMU  Dept. of Architecture,  and the TAMU Civil Engineering Transportation program.  They will likely include things such as, multi-lane freeways, cloverleaf interchanges, left freeway exits, and two-way-left-turn lane arterial cross sections.    scenarios according to highway design data.
2. Develop a procedure for converting Microstation™ roadway design files to simulator-compatible roadway tiles.   Most roadway design in Texas is completed using Microstation™ 3-D design software.  The objective of the current project is to find a way to import these files into the TTI Realtime Technologies™ simulator package so that the roads represented in the simulator are identical to the design drawings.  It would be desirable to automate this import process.   If the manual import procedure can be developed in the course of this one-year project, automation will be attempted as well.

Task Descriptions:
Task 1.   Complete training and software installation. 
The graduate assistant needs to learn to use the base simulator software.  We are budgeting for the purchase of a second site license so that the graduate assistant can continue to work on one computer while the simulator is being used for other studies throughout the year.  This project will require lots of computer coordination and software installation which often encounters problems.  TTI Network and Information Services does not allow student workers to directly install their own software.  In addition, the simulator computers are isolated from the Internet and the network to assure that no viruses will affect the systems. 

Task 2.  Identify and prioritize list of desired roadway designs and features.
The research team, through conversations and meetings with potential simulator users, will identify a “wish-list” of roadway types and features the research community could use for future research.

Task 3.   Create new roadway designs in Microstation and Creator. 
The desired roadway designs will be created in the appropriate software. Any additional entities and objects will be developed in Creator or a VRML editor, as appropriate

Task 4.  Develop and test procedure for importing and converting roadway design files to work in the simulator.  
The roadway design files developed in Task 3 will be imported and converted to work with the driving simulator software.  The designs will be tested for robustness by having staff drive the worlds under a variety of conditions, such as single-screen and multiple screen, with different vehicle types loaded, with and without the dashboard features visible on the screen, with different lighting conditions loaded.

Task 5.   Document procedure in final report and create “how-to” instructions.
Documentation of the procedure from start to finish will be completed including troubleshooting tips, examples, and checklists.  The entire research process will be documented in a final report.

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