Simulation of Infrared Thermal Imaging in a Virtual Environment Driving Simulator

In addition to fatigue and alcohol, vehicle's headlights are another major factor in causing accidents after dark. Under conditions of nighttime illumination a driver's visual perception ability is reduced. Night vision enhancement technologies using infrared (IR) thermal sensing can help improve a driver's vision at night. Several advanced IR camera companies are collaborating with world-leading automobile manufacturers with the goal to incorporate thermal IR image devices in real vehicles. However, there is not sufficient evidence to conclude that IR image devices in automobiles will result in less nighttime accidents. Moreover, potential distraction brought by such a device needs to be evaluated as well. This study focuses on creating a nighttime driving environment that simulates thermal infrared imaging in a driving simulator. The nighttime driving environment is built using Unity3d and applied to a driving simulator in the Virtual Environments Laboratory at Northeastern University. Subjects are required to drive in the simulator using the simulated thermal IR imaging system under nighttime conditions. Preliminary results on drivers' performance and distraction are reported.