Testing an Adaptive Cruise Controller with coupled traffic and driving simulations

In many cases, driving simulator studies target how test persons interact with surrounding traffic and with traffic signals. Traffic simulations like SUMO specialize in modeling traffic flow, which includes signal control. Consequently, driving and traffic simulation are coupled to benefit from the advantages of both. This means that all except the driven (ego) vehicle are controlled by the traffic simulation. Essential vehicle dynamics data are exchanged and applied frequently to make the test person interact with SUMO-generated traffic. Additionally, traffic lights are controlled by SUMO and transferred to the driving simulation. The system is used to evaluate an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system, which considers current and future traffic light states. Measures include objective terms like traffic flow as well as the subjective judgement of the signal program, the ACC and the simulation environment.