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Smooth and safe tram journeys: tram driver perspectives and opportunities using a haptic master controller in a virtual reality environment

journal contribution
posted on 2022-01-01, 00:00 authored by T C Callari, Michael MortimerMichael Mortimer, L Moody, M Seyedmahmoudian, R Lewis, Ben HoranBen Horan
Tram drivers operate a master controller to control the acceleration and braking of the tram. Operation should ensure passenger comfort and safety through smooth tram motion and the avoidance of jerkiness that may cause passengers to fall in the carriage. This work investigates current driver practices and strategies for tram driving in normal operations through interviews and the capacity of a new haptic master controller to support drivers in achieving smooth and safe tram journeys. A haptic feedback algorithm based on viscosity was implemented on the master controller to provide drivers with feedback on the rate at which they were accelerating and braking the tram. This aspect was tested in a virtual tram within a simulated inner city virtual reality environment. Results indicate that the haptic master controller and coupled viscosity feedback algorithm did not increase smoothness of driving during the simulated experiences. Despite this, the drivers indicated a preference for the provision of further haptic information to support driving tasks and the overall journey safety and smoothness. Practitioner Summary: This research comprises two studies. The first investigates strategies currently used by drivers to operate a tram smoothly in order to elicit design requirements for a haptic tram master controller. The second study evaluates the impact of a novel haptic master controller on journey smoothness within a virtual environment.

History

Journal

Ergonomics: an international journal of research and practice in human factors and ergonomics

Volume

65

Issue

3

Pagination

445 - 466

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Location

Abingdon, Eng.

ISSN

0014-0139

eISSN

1366-5847

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal