Validation of the MoSAIC- Driving Simulator: Investigating the impact of a human driver on cooperative driving behavior in an experimental simulation setup

Abstract

The “Modular and Scalable Application Platform for ITS Components” (MoSAIC) offers the possibility to investigate cooperative driving behavior. MoSAIC consists of three driving-simulators linked together, allowing participants to drive within the same simulation. The goal of the study was to examine whether knowledge of another real driver would have an impact on cooperative driving behavior. Participants were forced to overtake a car on a motorway, while a third car was approaching from behind. Twenty people participated, of which ten were told that the approaching car was simulated by a computer and ten were told that another participant would be steering the car. However, the car was always controlled by one of the investigators. To examine cooperative driving behavior Time Headway, a measure of distance relative to speed, and the participants’ intentions were used to label a behavior as cooperative. Further the participants’ perceived risk and perceived cooperation were recorded. Significant group differences were discovered regarding the intentions, perceived risks and perceived cooperation.