Studying the Interaction between Vulnerable Road Users and Automated Vehicle

A Pedestrian-Cyclist Virtual Reality Co-simulator and Experiment in Shared Space

Master Thesis (2025)
Author(s)

Z. Xu (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

Contributor(s)

E. Papadimitriou – Mentor (TU Delft - Safety and Security Science)

Y. Feng – Mentor (TU Delft - Traffic Systems Engineering)

Serge Hoogendoorn – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Traffic Systems Engineering)

Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Graduation Date
31-01-2025
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology
Programme
Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
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Abstract

We have successfully designed and implemented a multi-player, multi-modal virtual reality (VR) co-simulator that integrates both pedestrians and cyclists within the same VR environment. This co-simulator is designed to support multi-player, multi-modal VR experiments aimed at comprehensive data collection in transportation research. It features advanced functionalities including body tracking for pedestrians and cyclists, high-quality digital human representations, and comprehensive data collection technologies such as eye gazing data. A VR experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the VR co-simulator and investigate the interactions between vulnerable road users (VRUs) and automated vehicles (AVs) in shared spaces. The assessment demonstrated the co-simulator's capabilities and feasibility in terms of simulator sickness, presence, realism, and usability. The experiment also confirmed the impact of VRU combinations and initial relative positions on the interactions between VRUs and AVs in shared space.

Files

Thesis.pdf
(pdf | 70.8 Mb)
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