Development of a new VR app HGV Blind Spots Awareness November 2018

Summary Development of a new VR awareness app HGV Blind Spots Awareness Introduction Why VR? User centred trials Detail about the app Further developments

Introduction Development of a new VR app Jenny Shepherd – Senior Researcher

Background to the CVIP Programme Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention (CVIP) Safer People Programme - a 3 year Highways England initiative Main aim is to improve safety around HGVs relating to human factors and behaviour including: Research initiatives to identify the key factors contributing to collisions involving commercial vehicles Data analysis to identify who is affected Feasibility study to determine the potential application of VR to raise awareness The Safer People programme is part of the wider CVIP and focusses on human factors and behaviour. In particular, researching and developing interventions to improve safety and reduce incidents relating to HGVs.

Why VR? Innovative intervention to raise awareness of a serious risk The immersive experience offered by VR provides the ideal medium to highlight risky behaviour or environment This experience carries no risk but can provide ‘virtual reality’ effect with more impact than more traditional approaches Virtual Reality (commonly shortened to VR) is a computer based technology designed to create a simulated three-dimensional (3D) environment without the boundaries usually experienced with TV or computer screens. The 3D effect is achieved by having two LCD displays, one per eye; and lenses (hence the term ‘goggles’) between the eye and the display pixels. The lenses refocus the 2D images for each eye creating a stereoscopic three dimensional effect. The headset or goggles also eliminate any peripheral vision; combined with a wide field of view to increase immersion as the simulated environment is all they can see. This is important for the full ‘virtual reality’ effect, facilitating the use of the technology to provide, for example, an awareness of HGV blind spots without the risk of actually driving on busy roads.

VR options – the app in more detail Development of a new VR app HGV Blind Spots Awareness

What the data told us - HGV Accidents We started by looking at what the data tells us using collision ad casualty stats relating to HGVs Evidence based interventions Department for Transport statistics         https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2016   RAS20008           Vehicles involved in reported accidents by vehicle type and manoeuvre, Great Britain, 2016 – 2015 - 2014    

HGV Accidents – LHD collisions The stats highlighted LHD HGVs as being involved in particular manoeuvres and at risk particularly when just landing in UK Department for Transport statistics         https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2016   RAS20008           Vehicles involved in reported accidents by vehicle type and manoeuvre, Great Britain, 2016 – 2015 - 2014            

VR app scope Develop an app to raise awareness of blindspots applicable to both right hand drive and left hand drive HGVs Suitable for Google Cardboard VR app Compatible for Android AND iOS Cover different high risk scenarios or ‘use cases’ based on data Simulate a motorway environment (M20 relevant to visiting drivers) Awareness app = provide “Knowledge of a situation or a fact (information/communication)” Include LHD and RHD HGV scenarios to represent all UK drivers (based evidence) Specific use cases based on data e.g. LHD cab changing lane to right

User centred design and trialling process Development of a new VR app HGV Blind Spots Awareness What does this mean? UCD = “an iterative process in which designers focus on users and their needs in each stage of the design”. Extensive trials with HGV drivers Ensure app is fit for purpose and debugged

User centred design process and trials Real life scenarios based on evidence and discussions with industry Engaged a developer with experience of safety critical work Recruited and trialled the app with HGV drivers, both left and right hand drive Two phases of trials during development, to incorporate suggested changes

Scenarios and use cases Example of use cases (RHD view) Use case 1: Correct mirror adjustment All cases/scenarios are available with RHD and LHD views Ensuring optimal adjustment of mirrors for minimal blindspots

Scenarios and use cases Example of use cases (RHD view) Use case 2: Blind spot awareness General experience of how big blindspots are in HGV cab Spot the hidden vehicles

Scenarios and use cases Example of use cases (LHD view) Use case 3: Slip road hazards Joining the motorway has particular risk for LHD cabs vehicles

Scenarios and use cases Example of use cases (LHD view) Use case 4: Safe lane change Optimal positioning and watching out for vehicles in blind spots.

Scenarios and use cases Example of use cases (RHD view) Use case 5: Safe following distance Ensuring maximum visibility ahead and in blindspots by not following too closely to the vehicle in front

App release Released at Commercial Vehicle Show 2018 Accompanying safety card with QR codes for both operating systems

Develop a related version of the app for ‘other road users’ Further developments Develop a related version of the app for ‘other road users’ Same scenarios but from point of view of car drivers Particularly aimed at new and learner drivers on motorways Accompanying safety card When trialling and demonstrating app it became clear that other/all road users would benefit from raising awareness of HGV blindspots Hence further development of the app to have an option for car driver viewpoint A second safety card is being developed to accompany it.

Thank You – Any Questions? Jenny Shepherd Senior Researcher jshepherd@trl.co.uk +44 [0]1344 770 022 | +44 [07970] 365855 TRL | Crowthorne House | Nine Mile Ride | Wokingham Berkshire | RG40 3GA | United Kingdom © 2017 TRL Ltd