Implementation of a virtual environment for traffic accident simulation

Abstract

This Part II of a two-part paper presents the development of a prototype of the INtelligent TRaffic Evaluator for Prompt Incident Diagnosis using a Reality Engine (INTREPID-RE), a system that simulates a traffic accident site using virtual reality. While Part~I emphasizes the construction of the user interface control panel and the 3D objects, this paper describes the development of the virtual reality algorithm, environment and models. During the simulation process, novice highway patrol officers wear a head-mounted display and a cyberglove to enter and view an accident scene that they create, and assess the magnitude and severity of the traffic accident. Based on their assessments, patrol officers establish an on-site traffic control strategy and coordinate parking of emergency vehicles that minimizes unnecessary traffic congestion. Officers use INTREPID-RE to secure a safe area for on-site patrol officers, create a channel to permit other drivers to pass the site, and dispatch highway patrol and emergency vehicles to the accident site. The interactive positioning function allows a virtual hand to simulate the positioning of emergency vehicles and clearing of accident vehicles on the road. Six domain experts who evaluated INTREPID-RE rated the system as good and agree that it has the potential to become a promising tool for training novice police officers.