Cooperative Ramp Merging System
The driving simulator is developed in collaboration with Toyota InfoTech Center, aiming to provide an immersive environment to perform human factor related research in the area of Connected and Automated Vehicles. The Core of the simulator is driven by the Game Engine Unity. It is also connect with Oculus VR to enable the research on interaction between vehicles and other modes (e.g. pedestrians).
Unity
For many drivers, merging onto a freeway is a frustrating and inefficient task. A smooth merge often require a view of the cars already on the freeway, the mainline cars, and excellent timing. This results in frequent braking and acceleration, wasting gas, increasing vehicle emissions, and risking safety. The Ramp Merging System allows cars to communicate with each other while providing the drivers with recommended speeds - creating a gap between mainline vehicles for merging vehicles move into. According to our human-in-the-loop simulation, drivers can improve fuel consumption by approximately 10%-40%, and reduce emissions dramatically when speed suggestions are followed correctly.