Virtual Reality Platform for Sustainable Road Education among Users of Urban Mobility in Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

A traffic accident is an event generated in an unforeseen way that is beyond the control of the people involved, which can produce bodily, functional, or organic injuries, leading to death or disability in the worst cases. According to the Empresa Pública Municipal de Movilidad, Tránsito y Transporte de Cuenca (EMOV-EP), the total accidents recorded in 2021 were, 24.97% due to ignoring traffic signs, 21.11% due to not paying attention to traffic, and 16.94% due to driving under the influence of alcohol. The EMOV-EP, is the responsible for the regulation of human mobility. Thus, the EMOV-EP in conjunction with the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) have introduced the next research question: How can a road safety education strategy, supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), can be developed to contribute to the improvement of the behavior of citizens to increase their knowledge of the traffic laws and regulations, and thus reduce the number of accidents in the city of Cuenca? Furthermore, in this paper we present the development of a Virtual Reality (VR) platform designed for road safety education. The platform is composed of a Web system, and 4 VR systems (games) that have been designed for 4 common causes of accidents respectively (drunk drivers, highspeed drivers, cyclists riding in bicycle lanes, and users of the tram transport system), using a serious games approach and the Oculus Rift/Quest technology.We have found that more than 80% of users have had a very good experience of playing and learning through the VR systems. Hence, this virtual reality platform constitutes a technological proposal with social impact because it creates an entertainment environment that can raise awareness among citizens, thereby strengthening road safety education and reducing the number of accidents in the city of Cuenca.