Simple Mixed Reality Infrastructure for Experimental Analysis of Route Choice Behavior

Microscopic traffic simulation models offer virtual reproduction of full-scale traffic networks with individual vehicle and driver resolution. However, relevant behavioral aspects, such as route-choice behavior, are based on some theoretical assumptions. Alternatively, driving simulators allow for direct testing of real subjects. However, the virtual driving environment is typically a fairly rudimentary representation of the road network and traffic conditions, focusing on the immediate surroundings of the test vehicle. As such, both tools were integrated to create a mixed reality traffic analysis environment. The objective is to enhance the credibility of in-lab-simulated route-choice experiments under various intelligent transportation system applications. The mixed reality system allows a human subject to “drive” a vehicle in a microscopic traffic simulation model of an actual physical network. An externally controlled driving capability was integrated into the widely used Quadstone Paramics microscopic traffic simulator. The developed mixed reality platform was used at the Toronto (Canada) Intelligent Transportation System Centre to test subjects while driving in a simulated model of a main downtown Toronto corridor. Drivers were given descriptive and prescriptive traffic information while their reactions were monitored. For comparative purposes, they were also tested using a more classical map-based point-and-click route-choice procedure. Results of the analysis highlight the potential of the developed mixed reality platform to enhance the realism of in-lab-simulated route-choice experiments and hence improve the credibility of collected data. Both the virtual reproduction of the choice environment and the tangible consequences of choice decisions contribute to an enhanced experimental environment.