Driving Simulator Validation for Nighttime Construction Work Zone Devices

McAvoy, Deborah S.; Schattler, Kerrie L.; Datta, Tapan K. · 2007 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3141/2015-07

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Summary

This study addresses the validity of driving simulators as a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of temporary traffic control devices in nighttime construction work zones. Motivated by rising work zone fatalities and the increasing difficulty of collecting field data due to safety concerns, the researchers sought to determine if simulator data could accurately replicate real-world driver behavior, specifically regarding speed adjustments in response to channelizing devices. The study focused on comparing driver speeds in work zones with and without steady burn warning lights on drums, aiming to validate the Wayne State University driving simulator against field observations. The research employed a comparative parallel design involving both a field study and a simulator experiment. The field study collected spot speed data using portable radar detectors at six nighttime work zone sites in Michigan, categorized as "test" sites (drums without lights) and "control" sites (drums with lights). Speeds were measured at the beginning, middle, and end of the work zones. The simulator study utilized a Doron Precision Systems AMOSII simulator with a 225-degree panoramic view. Nighttime scenarios replicating the field conditions were developed for 127 human subjects, who drove through virtual work zones with and without steady burn lights. Data collection focused on mean travel speeds at three specific locations within the simulated work zone. Statistical analyses, including Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-tests, were conducted to compare mean speeds between field and simulator studies, as well as between test and control conditions within each study. The results indicated significant discrepancies between the field and simulator studies. In the field study, ANOVA results showed that mean speeds varied significantly across the three locations (beginning, middle, and end) for both test and control sites, reflecting natural driver adjustments to the work zone environment. Conversely, the simulator study found no statistically significant difference in mean speeds across the three locations for either test or control scenarios. Furthermore, the trends in mean speeds differed in both magnitude and direction between the two studies. The researchers concluded that the simulator failed to replicate the mean speeds observed in the field. This lack of absolute validity was attributed to the motorists' perceived risk in real-world work zones, which influences driving behavior in ways that the simulator did not capture. The significance of these findings lies in the limitations of driving simulators for specific human factors research. While simulators offer efficiency and safety advantages, this study demonstrates that they may not accurately replicate driver speed behavior in nighttime work zones due to the absence of perceived risk. Consequently, researchers and traffic engineers should exercise caution when using simulator data to validate traffic control devices for nighttime conditions, as the simulator may not reflect the behavioral responses necessary for accurate safety assessments. The study highlights the importance of considering both absolute and relative validity when selecting research methodologies for work zone safety evaluations.

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Topics

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• work zones
• simulator validity fidelity
• simulator training transfer
• emergency work zone conspicuity

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation
• Methodological Resource: validation psychometrics, tool software