How to improve drivers’ hazard perception ability? an interactive training method based on VR technology and the Unity 3D Platform

Effective hazard perception training is crucial for improving road safety, yet the factors influencing its efficacy remain underexplored. This study assessed the efficacy of an interactive hazard perception training program utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) technology and the Unity 3D Platform. A driving simulator experiment was conducted with 34 licensed drivers, who were exposed to 20 high-risk urban driving scenarios. Data were collected over three test sessions: baseline, immediately post-training, and 7 days post-training. The study focused on two types of conflict scenarios—horizontal and vertical. Our analysis showed that drivers’ HPTs followed a Weibull distribution, which allowed us to develop an accelerated failure time (AFT) model. The results indicated that scene conflict type and driver age positively affected HPT, while test session and initial driving speed showed an inverse relationship. Importantly, the training significantly improved drivers’ ability to identify hazards, with notable improvements in both horizontal and vertical conflict scenarios observed immediately after training and 7 days later. This study demonstrates that VR-based hazard perception training effectively enhances drivers’ hazard detection skills. These findings contribute to the development of more standardized and effective models for hazard perception training, offering potential for wider application in driver education and road safety programs

Hazard · Human–computer interaction · Instructional design · Multimedia · Perception · Virtual reality · Autonomous Vehicle Technology and Safety · Computer Science · Human-Automation Interaction and Safety · Psychology · Traffic and Road Safety