Tunnels

This report documents the findings from a research study which aimed to validate the use of a virtual reality (VR) driving simulator to study driving behaviour in a real road tunnel. Specifically, it aimed to establish whether the simulator could be used as a safety-assured means of developing and testing in-tunnel aesthetic design features.

The north and southbound tunnels of the NorthConnex (NCX) tunnel, a 9-kilometre road tunnel in Sydney, Australia, were replicated in the VR driving simulator based on technical drawings and specifications provided by Austroads. Twenty-six participants drove through both the simulated and the real NCX tunnels.

The following driving-related data was collected in both the simulated and real tunnels: mean speed, standard deviation of speed, mean lateral lane position, and standard deviation of lateral lane position. In addition, drivers’ self-reported subjective perceptions of the two tunnel environments were measured. The data was analysed to determine whether there were any statistically significant differences between the simulated and real tunnels in these driving behaviour and performance metrics.

It is concluded that the VR driving simulator is a valid platform for the assessment of mean speed, speed variability, and mean lateral position. This is also the case for the assessment of drivers’ self-reported perceptions of the tunnel environment for the northbound NCX tunnel, and to a lesser extent for the southbound tunnel. Some recommendations are made for further research and for improving the validity of the driving simulator for use in road tunnel research.

For more information, watch a recording of the webinar below with Prof Michael (Mike) Regan, Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan, Julius Secadiningrat, Jack Mazaraki, Nicholas Rozenauers, Nigel Casey and Richard Merrett.