Promoting Repeatable Research and Collaboration – The Benefits of a Driving Simulation Wiki

This paper will discuss how driving simulation users face a daunting range of simulation platforms, scenarios, and measures that make it difficult to replicate and compare studies across institutions. Furthermore, the complexity of configuring a simulator, developing protocols for data collection, and managing the resulting data consumes many hours of researchers’ time. These issues could be addressed using tools that enable closer collaboration and better knowledge management. This paper will describe an internet-based resource for driving simulator users that promotes collaboration and resource sharing. Specifically, wiki technology, as demonstrated in the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki), enables many users to share information and develop ideas rapidly and with relative ease. A wiki supports continuous cooperative evolution of ideas and knowledge from many authors, thereby creating a resource that is more comprehensive than that generated by an individual or group operating a conventional website. Specific resources available on the driving simulation wiki (http://www.drivingwiki.org) include specifications for commonly used scenarios, definitions and data reduction code for commonly used performance measures, and guidance for addressing common challenges, such as simulator sickness. Such resources make it possible to address the same issue with different populations and with simulators of differing levels of fidelity. This paper will also discuss the challenges in creating a sustainable community needed to support an effective driving simulation wiki and in ensuring content quality of a research-focused wiki.