Validation of Immersive Design Parameters in Driving Simulation Environments

Driving simulators are used for the prospective validation of technical systems in the automotive sector. The design of simulation environments can affect drivers and should be considered in investigations of driver-vehicle interactions. The aim of this research is to minimize the gap between driving simulators and real car studies by integrating immersive parameters into simulated driving environments. Stereoscopy, surround sound and motion feedback were analyzed with regard to driver behavior and experience and were then compared to data of a real drive from a previous investigation. The authors conducted a study with N = 48 participants performing a dual-task scenario in a driving simulator. Results reveal significant effects of immersive design parameters on gaze behavior and mental workload. Findings provide guidance for an efficient and cost-effective development of driving simulation environments.