1. Development of a new VR app HGV Blind Spots Awareness
November 2018

2. Summary Development of a new VR awareness app
HGV Blind Spots Awareness
Introduction
Why VR?
User centred trials
Detail about the app
Further developments

3. Introduction Development of a new VR app
Jenny Shepherd – Senior Researcher

4. Background to the CVIP Programme
Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention (CVIP) Safer People Programme - a 3 year Highways England initiative
Main aim is to improve safety around HGVs relating to human factors and behaviour including:
Research initiatives to identify the key factors contributing to collisions involving commercial vehicles
Data analysis to identify who is affected
Feasibility study to determine the potential application of VR to raise awareness
The Safer People programme is part of the wider CVIP and focusses on human factors and behaviour. In particular, researching and developing interventions to improve safety and reduce incidents relating to HGVs.

5. Why VR? Innovative intervention to raise awareness of a serious risk
The immersive experience offered by VR provides the ideal medium to highlight risky behaviour or environment
This experience carries no risk but can provide ‘virtual reality’ effect with more impact than more traditional approaches
Virtual Reality (commonly shortened to VR) is a computer based technology designed to create a simulated three-dimensional (3D) environment without the boundaries usually experienced with TV or computer screens.
The 3D effect is achieved by having two LCD displays, one per eye; and lenses (hence the term ‘goggles’) between the eye and the display pixels. The lenses refocus the 2D images for each eye creating a stereoscopic three dimensional effect.
The headset or goggles also eliminate any peripheral vision; combined with a wide field of view to increase immersion as the simulated environment is all they can see. This is important for the full ‘virtual reality’ effect, facilitating the use of the technology to provide, for example, an awareness of HGV blind spots without the risk of actually driving on busy roads.

6. VR options – the app in more detail
Development of a new VR app
HGV Blind Spots Awareness

7. What the data told us - HGV Accidents
We started by looking at what the data tells us using collision ad casualty stats relating to HGVs
Evidence based interventions
Department for Transport statistics           RAS20008           Vehicles involved in reported accidents by vehicle type and manoeuvre, Great Britain, 2016 –    

8. HGV Accidents – LHD collisions
The stats highlighted LHD HGVs as being involved in particular manoeuvres and at risk particularly when just landing in UK
Department for Transport statistics           RAS20008           Vehicles involved in reported accidents by vehicle type and manoeuvre, Great Britain, 2016 –            

9. VR app scope
Develop an app to raise awareness of blindspots applicable to both right hand drive and left hand drive HGVs
Suitable for Google Cardboard VR app
Compatible for Android AND iOS
Cover different high risk scenarios or ‘use cases’ based on data
Simulate a motorway environment (M20 relevant to visiting drivers)
Awareness app = provide “Knowledge of a situation or a fact (information/communication)”
Include LHD and RHD HGV scenarios to represent all UK drivers (based evidence)
Specific use cases based on data e.g. LHD cab changing lane to right

10. User centred design and trialling process
Development of a new VR app
HGV Blind Spots Awareness
What does this mean? UCD = “an iterative process in which designers focus on users and their needs in each stage of the design”.
Extensive trials with HGV drivers
Ensure app is fit for purpose and debugged

11. User centred design process and trials
Real life scenarios based on evidence and discussions with industry
Engaged a developer with experience of safety critical work
Recruited and trialled the app with HGV drivers, both left and right hand drive
Two phases of trials during development, to incorporate suggested changes

12. Scenarios and use cases
Example of use cases (RHD view)
Use case 1: Correct mirror adjustment
All cases/scenarios are available with RHD and LHD views
Ensuring optimal adjustment of mirrors for minimal blindspots

13. Scenarios and use cases
Example of use cases (RHD view)
Use case 2: Blind spot awareness
General experience of how big blindspots are in HGV cab
Spot the hidden vehicles

14. Scenarios and use cases
Example of use cases (LHD view)
Use case 3: Slip road hazards
Joining the motorway has particular risk for LHD cabs vehicles

15. Scenarios and use cases
Example of use cases (LHD view)
Use case 4: Safe lane change
Optimal positioning and watching out for vehicles in blind spots.

16. Scenarios and use cases
Example of use cases (RHD view)
Use case 5: Safe following distance
Ensuring maximum visibility ahead and in blindspots by not following too closely to the vehicle in front

17. App release Released at Commercial Vehicle Show 2018
Accompanying safety card with QR codes for both operating systems

18. Develop a related version of the app for ‘other road users’
Further developments
Develop a related version of the app for ‘other road users’
Same scenarios but from point of view of car drivers
Particularly aimed at new and learner drivers on motorways
Accompanying safety card
When trialling and demonstrating app it became clear that other/all road users would benefit from raising awareness of HGV blindspots
Hence further development of the app to have an option for car driver viewpoint
A second safety card is being developed to accompany it.

19. Thank You – Any Questions?
Jenny Shepherd
Senior Researcher
+44 [0] | +44 [07970]
TRL | Crowthorne House | Nine Mile Ride | Wokingham
Berkshire | RG40 3GA | United Kingdom
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