World-class UB driving simulator receives system upgrades in advance of 2026 rollout

The simRING is an advanced driving simulator used to analyze human factors and performance found in common driving situations, including autonomous vehicles. The advanced system features the front end of a car mounted on a moving platform that reacts to turns, changes in elevation and other road conditions. 

The system features a 360-degree, 16-foot diameter, 6-inch-high display system that fully surrounds the vehicle and its occupants, this provides the driver and passenger with a full-fidelity depiction of surrounding traffic, landmarks and roadway conditions.  During 2025, a camera-based system was added to the system that warps, blends, auto-calibrates, and fine-tunes the driving imagery projected onto the 360-degree screen.  The projection system includes both display 4K monitors (for the operator) and 4K screen projectors (for the simulator vehicle occupant).

The upgraded simulator system includes a new passenger cabin; an eye-catching UB-Blue Mustang with an open convertible cabin. The cabin vehicle includes authentic driving controls that implement the actual steering wheel, gas and brake pedals native to the Mustang.  The Mustang is mounted upon another recent system enhancement: a modernized full motion system that boasts an updated operating system, user interface and increased fault tolerance to better simulate aggressive real-world driving cues.  The simulator also features a surround sound audio system that replicates real-world noises heard from within and outside the vehicle.  

The upgraded simulator system includes a new passenger cabin; an eye-catching UB-Blue Mustang with an open convertible cabin. The cabin vehicle includes authentic driving controls that implement the actual steering wheel, gas and brake pedals native to the Mustang.  The Mustang is mounted upon another recent system enhancement: a modernized full motion system that boasts an updated operating system, user interface and increased fault tolerance to better simulate aggressive real-world driving cues.  The simulator also features a surround sound audio system that replicates real-world noises heard from within and outside the vehicle.  

These timely enhancements to the simulator make the driving system more authentic and realistic. The updated features will improve the lab’s competitive advantage as it continues to pursue collaborative partnerships and compete for grant applications and contract work. 

Since its earliest variation in 2006, the technical capabilities of the simRING have supported and enabled more than $6 million in faculty-driven research. The simulation is in the Transportation Research and Visualization Laboratory at 102 Ketter Hall. 

TRAVL is a marquee research facility affiliated with the Stephen Still Institute for Sustainable Transportation and Logistics (ISTL). Through its research and interdisciplinary graduate program, ISTL continues to foster mechanisms for research and collaboration that will positively impact transportation.