Learning an Alternative Car-Following Technique to Avoid Congestion With an Instructional Driving Simulator

This article addresses the problem of traffic congestion through a learning perspective, highlighting capabilities information, and communication technologies to transform society. Recent physical mathematical analysis reveals that training drivers keep safe distance systematically contributes emergence maintenance interference (so-called phantom jam). presents WaveDriving Course (WDC), simulated environment designed help progress from traditional drive-to-keep-distance (DD) technique new car-following (CF) principle better suited for wave-like traffic, drive-to-keep-inertia (DI). The WDC is based on ordinary knowledge driver (e.g., going series lights) this situation in terms two possible simultaneous behavioral strategies. has opportunity verify it achieve same objective with different consequences. Finally, checks what extent generates transfer patterns analogous case CF. focuses results concerning first module: traffic-light analogy. Forty-two participants followed whole procedure about 30 min. An evaluative CF test was administered before after visioning tutorial practicing simulator. Overall, transference analog (posttest) successful. Results confirm adoption expected DI strategies (speed variability decreased, leader increased, fuel consumption platoon elongation etc.). need improve teaching appropriate discussed.