The current paper describes two PC-based simulators (VLADIMIR and TRAVSIM) developed at the University of Leeds, indicates their use to date, examines their performance against `real' behaviour and outlines plans for future applications in the Road Transport Informatics field and in route choice research more generally. Both simulators present the `driver' with an instrumented dashboard and a series of windscreen views determined by the chosen route. The driver is required to make a series of journeys by selecting their preferred exit at each junction encountered. The dashboard instruments and windscreen view are adjusted according to the link selected and the traffic conditions prevailing on that link. Within this basic framework the drivers' reaction to a variety of phenomena can be explored. VLADIMIR and TRAVSIM differ in that VLADIMIR is based on real networks, with digitised photographs providing the windscreen view; while TRAVSIM is based on a hypothetical network of computer generated images specifically designed to present interesting route choice options. (A)
Abstract