| This work presents the mechanisms and interfaces developed for directing and controlling vehicles in a real-time driving simulation environment in order to meet user specified levels of, possibly varying, traffic. Dynamic traffic characteristics, such as speed, flow, and density can be manipulated for experimental purposes and to provide a realistic driving environment.; The need for the ability to regulate and orchestrate the amount of traffic in a simulation environment stems from the desire to create a believable virtual world where conditions are realistic, controllable and repeatable. This will make it possible to create believable and reproducible situations in the simulator's virtual environment suitable for experimental investigation in a variety of areas related to driving safety without the risk of endangering any of the participants.; The goal of this work was the creation of traffic that had a natural look and feel while meeting the specific traffic requirements.; The thesis also details the protocols implemented for conflict resolution between vehicles at intersections. |
