INVESTIGATING THE USE OF VIRTUAL REALITY FOR PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENTS

Simulated virtual environments have been used as a testing tool in various disciplines. In planning, transportation planners have extensively used simulated environments to test drivers' perceptions, training, and adaptability. However, these simulators have not been used to test pedestrian environments, owing to the lack of research on the adaptability of virtual simulators for walking-oriented research. This study investigates the ability of individuals to use the driving simulator for pedestrian research by modifying the simulated pedestrian environment and testing the individual's ability to identify the variations in the built environment. The result of this study indicates that the participants were able to identify, the variations in the built environment in the driving simulator; thus, the driving simulator can be adapted for pedestrian research. Future advancements in technology can help improve the test scenarios and assist urban planners, transportation planners, and health professionals in conducting pedestrian research in a controlled setting.