Ágoston Pál Sándor

58100332300

Publications - 8

How realistic a bicycle simulator can be? - A validation study

Attila Borsos Ágoston Pál Sándor Amira Hammami

Publication Name: Multimodal Transportation

Publication Date: 2025-03-01

Volume: 4

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The aim of this research is to objectively and subjectively validate the virtual reality Bicycle Simulator (BS) developed using off-the-shelf components at the University of Győr, Hungary. To this end, this research compares the performance of 32 participants in two real-world environments (Site 1: separated bicycle-pedestrian path and Site 2: advisory bicycle lane) and in their replication in virtual reality (VR). The objective measures collected for the comparison include speed and Cumulative Lateral Position (CLP), whereas subjective measures include the Perceived Level of Realism (PLR) based on participants’ self-reported perceptions in a post-experiment questionnaire. PLR is a new indicator that we propose using subjects' perceptions of speed, BS control, and VR representation. The combination of these subjective and objective measures is proposed as the Degree of Realism (DR) to standardise the classification of the realism level of a bicycle simulator. Subjectively, the results indicate that the BS provides a high level of safety and comfort for conducting such research. Subject characteristics have no significant influence on VR sickness scores or Perceived Level of Realism. Objectively, for both speed and CLP, we found no significant difference between on-site and the simulation measurements in the case of Site 1, but otherwise for Site 2. However, subjects were not able to accurately perceive either the actual or the relative differences. In conclusion, our bicycle simulator is a safe and comfortable traffic safety research tool that needs further improvement. The proposed preliminary concept of the degree of realism requires further investigation.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.multra.2025.100193

Dynamic Vehicle Dashboard Design for Reduced Driver Distraction

Viktor Nagy Ágoston Pál Sándor

Publication Name: Mechanisms and Machine Science

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 174 MMS

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 645-654

Description:

In the context of contemporary vehicle dashboard systems, advanced In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) often employ touchscreen functionalities, and multi-layered menu structures. However, these solutions have been identified as more distracting for drivers compared to traditional tactile switches and buttons with single, dedicated functions. Our primary focus is on exploring the design capabilities of dynamic vehicle center console interfaces, leading to the inception of the Dynamic Human-Computer Interface System (DHCIS). DHCIS employs a context-aware, adaptive functional framework structure, which, rather than relying on deep menu layers, enhances the safety level in varied traffic situations by simplifying controls to one-touch features. The design concept has been compared with a generic user interface in terms of the handling method, operational steps and layout design.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-80512-7_63

Automatized Driving Data Analyzer: A Synchronized and Modular Application for Data Logging and Analysis †

Viktor Nagy Ágoston Pál Sándor

Publication Name: Engineering Proceedings

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 79

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The Automated Driving Data Analyzer (ADDA) is a modular application written in Python for the synchronized acquisition and analysis of physiological, vehicle, and interface data. It provides a managed data acquisition process and one-click data analysis. It also provides raw data storage and systematic archiving of data sets. ADDA integrates real-time data from a BeamNG vehicle simulation, Pupil Labs eye-tracking system, hand-tracking, and cardiac data. This integration allows the simultaneous recording and analysis of multiple data streams, which can be visualized and controlled through a graphical user interface (GUI) built with Tkinter. The application is designed to help researchers and engineers analyze driving behavior under different conditions, enabling a deeper understanding of the interactions between the driver and automated driving functions.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/engproc2024079018

Evaluation of Autonomous Vehicle Takeover Performance in Work-Zone Environment †

Attila Borsos Viktor Nagy Ágoston Pál Sándor Diovane Mateus da Luz

Publication Name: Engineering Proceedings

Publication Date: 2024-01-01

Volume: 79

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The advent of autonomous vehicles (AV) could revolutionize the automotive industry by significantly improving safety, efficiency, and accessibility. Despite their potential to improve traffic safety by reducing human error, their integration into existing transportation systems presents significant challenges. This is particularly evident in scenarios involving takeover events, where there is a transition of control from the vehicle to the human driver. Our driving simulator study, involving 14 drivers in a work-zone environment, provides critical insights into the takeover performance of level 3 to level 5 AVs. The findings suggest that the successful integration of AVs depends on their seamless incorporation into existing systems and the readiness of drivers to adapt to this emerging technology.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/engproc2024079059

Communication between Autonomous Vehicles and Pedestrians: An Experimental Study Using Virtual Reality

Emese Mako Csaba Koren Attila Borsos Symbat Zhanguzhinova Ágoston Pál Sándor

Publication Name: Sensors

Publication Date: 2023-02-01

Volume: 23

Issue: 3

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

One of the major challenges of autonomous vehicles (AV) is their interaction with pedestrians. Unofficial interactions such as gestures, eye contact, waving, and flashing lights are very common behavioral patterns for drivers to express their intent to give priority. In our research we composed a virtual reality experiment for a pedestrian crossing in an urban environment in order to test pedestrians’ reactions on an LED light display mounted on a virtual AV. Our main research interest was to investigate whether communication patterns influence the decision making of pedestrians when crossing the road. In a VR environment, four scenarios were created with a vehicle approaching a pedestrian crossing with different speeds and displaying a special red/green sign to pedestrians. Here, 51 persons participating in the experiment had to decide when crossing is safe. Results show that the majority of people indicated they would cross in the time windows when it was actually safe to cross. Male subjects made their decision to cross slightly faster but no significant differences were found in the decision making by gender. It was found that age is not an influencing factor, either. Overall, a quick learning process was experienced proving that explicit communication patterns are self-explaining.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/s23031049

Car Simulator Study for the Development of a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Dashboard Concept

Peter Foldesi Gabor Kovacs Viktor Nagy Ágoston Pál Sándor

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 415-420

Description:

In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) have evolved with the integration of advanced technologies like touchscreens, enhancing vehicle functionality and infotainment features. However, the development of sustainable and user-centric dashboard interfaces embracing the Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) concept remains limited. This research aims to explore the usability, advantages, and disadvantages of the BYOD concept within the context of IVIS. Specifically, it investigated the control of the onboard air conditioning system and selected Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) functions. To accomplish this, a complex simulation environment using Unity, Blender, and C# was developed. Eye-tracking technology was utilized to record participants' gaze patterns and attention allocation during experimental tasks. Following the simulation, participants provided subjective usability assessments of the system through questionnaires. The integration of a mobile phone with a suitable user interface as part of the BYOD concept generally led to enhanced usability and reduced distraction. This study underscores the potential benefits of integrating the BYOD concept into IVIS, emphasizing improved usability, sustainability, and user-friendliness. These findings hold significance for advancing the design of user-centric, sustainable interfaces in automotive technology.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107070

Comparative Analysis of Driving Performance and Visual and Physiological Responses Between Professional and Civilian Drivers in Simulated Environments

Giuseppina Pappalardo Gabor Kovacs Viktor Nagy Ágoston Pál Sándor Hanan Elias

Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland

Publication Date: 2025-11-01

Volume: 15

Issue: 22

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Current research and development in understanding road users’ driving behaviors play a key role in improving traffic safety. Recently, several driving simulators have been employed as a suitable approach to investigate several drivers’ responses in challenging traffic scenarios. Although professional drivers represent a particular category among driving populations, the body of literature about their comparative behavioral and psychological characteristics remains limited. This study examined the differences in driving performance and visual and physiological responses between civilian and professional drivers in a simulated environment. A total of 30 drivers, with an equal split between professional and civilian categories, took part in a series of driving simulations. The simulations incorporated various infrastructure types, including four cone avoidance tasks and a high-speed motorway task. This study collected comprehensive data on performance metrics, hand usage, heart rate, and eye movements. Eye-tracking technology was used to measure visual attention. The findings revealed that during cone avoidance scenarios, civilian drivers exhibited a similar performance, visual behavior, and physiological response, except for the speed, experiment duration, and throttle, to professional drivers. In the motorway scenario, all metrics showed no significant difference between the two driver groups. These results highlight the need for cautious interpretation, particularly given the limitations of the sample. Revalidation is needed in larger studies, especially for understanding the differences between drivers’ metrics, which is crucial to elevate drivers’ safety, and assessing training programs in Hungary.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/app152212024

Analysis Of The Relation Between Vehicle And Physiological Data

Ágoston Pál Sándor

Publication Name: Transportation Research Procedia

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 91

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 369-376

Description:

Understanding driver behavior and state is crucial for enhancing road safety, yet traditional assessment methods often lack the granularity of real-world dynamics. This paper introduces the Automated Driving Data Analyzer II (ADDA II), an onboard system evolving from a simulator-based tool to a comprehensive platform for real-world driving data acquisition and analysis. Interfacing via the OBD-II port and offering ECU (Engine Control Unit) compatibility (initially validated with Volkswagen Group vehicles), ADDA II is designed for both scientific research and as an accessible end-user product. The system integrates multimodal data streams, including detailed vehicle dynamics, driver physiological responses (e.g., heart rate), and eye-tracking metrics (blinks, fixations), all synchronized to provide a holistic view of the driving task. This paper demonstrates ADDA II’s architecture and analytical capabilities using a representative real-world dataset from a multi-stage driving task. The analysis showcases the system’s ability to characterize driving styles (identifying, for instance, a ‘Conservative’ profile based on smooth control and adaptive behaviors) and reveal patterns indicative of driver state. Key insights are derived from correlating vehicle speed with heart rate to infer variations in physiological arousal and cognitive load across different environments, and by linking heart rate with ocular fixation patterns to understand visual attention strategies under varying demands. Furthermore, ADDA II incorporates functionalities for real-time feedback and warnings, aiming to promote safer, more sustainable driving practices and enhance driver self-awareness. The presented findings underscore ADDA II’s significant potential as a tool for advancing research in driver state monitoring and developing effective driver support applications.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2025.10.048