Modeling the interactive mode of SmartPath

Abstract

SmartPath is a highway system simulator. The program can be used to test, simulate, and evaluate the performance of the designs of different modules and instrumentations, such as engine models, sensors, and communications. The package consists of two separate modules: simulation and animation. The simulation runs on Sun Spare or Silicon Graphics workstations. The animation program, runs on Silicon Graphics workstations, and it produces a three-dimensional, color animation of AHS traffic. SmartPath could be used in two modes. In the batch mode, the simulator is run-first to generate data which could then be viewed using the animator. In the interactive mode, the simulator and animator run simultaneously allowing the user to control vehicle manoeuvres in real time. This feature allows the system to mix "manual" and "automated" vehicles and to test the robustness of the control algorithms. In this paper, we describe the modeling of basic elements of the interactive mode of SmartPath and the interfaces used to allow interactive control of vehicles.<>