Assessment of Drivers’ Risk Levels Using a Virtual Reality Simulator

Abstract

This study is part of a project aiming at analyzing driving behavior and the factors that most influence the generation of states of fatigue and distraction, which represent one of the main risk factors for road accidents. Both states are influenced by the possible condition of sleepiness linked to circadian rhythms. The global aim is to ascertain whether and how the mechanisms underlying the states of fatigue and distraction can be correlated with the variables describing the relationship between driver, road and vehicle. To this end, data related to driver physiological variables (EEG) and data on the scenario offered by the road, were recorded. Statistical differences between variables related to two different scenarios (Urban and Suburban) were calculated and also correlation between physiological and vehicles variables were enlightened. The first results are promising in terms of using physiological variables as risk indicators and improving the support offered by ITS systems.