Safe Truck VR offers a unique way to experience the dangers of the blind spot of a truck driver. The user has to keep all mirrors in view, accelerate and stop the truck in time. The learning effect can be directly implemented in one’s own everyday traffic life as a cyclist or pedestrian. The app is not just explaining the blind spot but it is also letting the user truly experience it.
Challenge
In traffic, there are various dangers for pedestrians and cyclists, especially at intersections when large vehicles like trucks turn. When the drivers are turning, there are areas outside the vehicle that are too difficult to see despite mirrors. Especially with trucks, there are many blind spots in front of and beside the vehicle. This is causing serious accidents on intersections at right turn situations involving trucks and bicycles.
Solution
Inspired to use the VR technology and engage the users, we created an experience with 3 scenarios where users can experience the blind spots for truck drivers at right turn situations.
We developed this application together with the City of Zurich so we can raise awareness of these dangerous situations and offered a simulation experience of a real street in Zurich. Safe Truck VR offers a unique way to experience the dangers of the blind spot of a truck driver. The user has to keep all mirrors in view, accelerate and stop the truck in time. The learning effect can be directly implemented in one’s own everyday traffic life as a cyclist or pedestrian. The app is not just explaining the blind spot but it is also letting the user truly experience it. There are also a few different perspectives that the user can change: perspective in the truck cockpit, transparency so the blind spots can be understood well, simulation of the blind spot using virtual rear-view mirrors.
The app is part of the evolution of the Accident Prevention Program by the City of Zurich that is taking the advance of VR technologies from 360° Videos to interactive 3D simulation.
How it works: When the user is putting the VR glasses and starts the experience, he/she can experience turning right from a truck driver’s perspective. They should watch out for bicycles, pedestrians, traffic lights, and lines.
Gamification part: The user should successfully pass all of the three scenarios, to successfully and safely reach the end. The most important part is that after finishing the experience, the user can understand why it is not so easy to make a turn with a truck and pay attention to everything on the road at the same time.
This is an outstanding solution from an educative point of view, mainly because the user interaction increases the learning effect and the level of concern.
The application and the devices can be easily used in schools, at leisure trade fairs, or at events.
Have a look
