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TECH 255
The Virtual Driving Lab was established in 2023 with the support of Title III funding to advance transportation research, education, and safety. This cutting-edge facility features two integrated high-fidelity driver-in-the-loop simulators: the RDS-1500 Half-Cab Driving Simulator and the RS-Bike Research Simulator. Both systems operate independently or within a shared virtual environment, providing a robust platform for studying human behavior, transportation safety, and autonomous vehicle (AV) systems.
The RDS-1500 is a half-cab simulator built from a cut-down OEM vehicle, complete with a force-feedback steering system, brake and throttle controls, automatic gear shifter, touchscreen center stack, and a glass dash virtual instrument cluster. It is equipped with a 3-degree-of-freedom motion base and a 5-channel, 4K ultra-high-definition visual display system using 86-inch monitors, offering immersive driving experiences across city, highway, and rural scenarios. The system includes a powerful sound system, vibration transducers, and customizable in-vehicle interfaces designed via Altia Design.
The RS-Bike simulator features a full-size hybrid bicycle mounted on a platform with front-projected, 3-channel visual display and integrated sensors to capture steering and pedaling actions. It simulates realistic cycling dynamics and shares the same virtual environment as the RDS-1500, enabling interaction studies between drivers and cyclists.
Both simulators are powered by SimCreator DX, a modular and open-architecture simulation software suite that supports scenario development using a rich library of pre-built maneuvers, advanced scripting in JavaScript, and behavior customization for automated and human-controlled vehicles. The lab also includes options for SimDriver (SAE Level 3–5 automation), SimADAS (advanced driver assistance systems), and SimObserver Pro HD, an after-action review system that synchronizes high-definition video and telemetry data for detailed behavioral analysis.
Researchers can leverage over 60 miles of pre-built virtual road environments, including “Generic World” and “Linear Land” databases, to quickly deploy experiments. The system collects extensive vehicle and behavioral data (e.g., speed, acceleration, lane position, headway, eye gaze, and more), making it a powerful tool for interdisciplinary research in human factors, AV transition protocols, traffic safety, and beyond.
With full customization capabilities, perpetual software licenses, and a built-in training and support framework, the TSU Virtual Driving Lab provides a scientifically validated, real-world proxy environment for next-generation transportation research and education.