New Features in Our Virtual Worlds

Our staff members are constantly developing new features and adding more options to our virtual environments for various clients. Here are a few highlights from the past year.

University of Central Florida

Engineering Coordinator Shawn Allen created three new multi-lane urban intersection tiles for the University of Central Florida. Each tile contains a complex traffic pattern with multiple roadway elements consistent with the complexity of a highway interchange. Included with this project are new lane context navigation and additional new roadway signs.

Leidos

In a project with Leidos, Allen created new scenarios to support the driver cutting into a platoon between trucks that were driving under automation, and then restoring the platoon condition when the driver exited the formation. The project included new three-lane tiles (a diamond interchange and two straights), new signage, and also used audio navigation cues.

University of Kansas

In one of the largest tiles NADS has developed, Allen built a new environment with 18 merge events, 88 road paths, and 36 unique four-way intersections. Programs were created to support this project, as each intersection could not be copied but had to be unique. Each intersection is signal-controlled with dedicated left-turn and protected right-turn lanes. A scenario was also developed to test merge events following turns to the right.

NADS for TCW project

A new interchange, hill, curve, and straights were developed to support this project, including large filler tiles with structures for urban/developed area use. Read a summary of this NHTSA-sponsored project on page 14.