THE ROLE OF THE MULTIMODAL PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL TRAFFIC SIMULATOR IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Abstract

Understanding interactions among different road users is essential for developing effective multimodal transportation policies. Driving, pedestrian, and bicycle simulators are widely used in transportation research to evaluate engineering applications and test human behavior under controlled and repeatable conditions. However, these simulators are typically employed in isolation, and integrated multimodal platforms that allow drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to interact within a virtual environment are limited. This paper presents a synthesis of research conducted at the Pittsburgh Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory, demonstrating how an integrated multimodal human-in-the-loop traffic simulation framework can support diverse transportation research objectives, including advancements in traffic theory, insights into bicyclist behavior, novel approaches to traffic conflict analysis, and emerging applications in energy research through distributed testing capabilities.