Street Smart: Using VR simulation to combat traffic accidents
Street Smart aims to reduce pedestrian and cyclist deaths with an innovative VR campaign.
A Chevrolet Camaro at the Springfield Town Center in Fairfax County on Sunday allowed visitors to test their skills as safe drivers. The mobile exhibit is part of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (COG) Street Smart campaign to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Kelvin Ford of Street Smart explains that the immersive VR experience interactively educates people of all ages about traffic safety. Participants put on a VR headset and virtually navigate local streets, keeping an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists.
Many visitors who tried the simulation described it as entertaining, but also challenging. One participant described the experience as “insanely fun” and “not easy.” Another noted that there were more blind spots than expected. The simulation was also designed to raise awareness of looking left and right at intersections.
According to the COG, 115 pedestrians and cyclists were killed by vehicles in the Washington metropolitan area last year. Pedestrians and bicyclists account for more than 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the region.
The Virtual Reality Challenge is designed to encourage road users to consider each other and work together to create safer streets.
Street Smart Campaign Background
Since 2002, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Street Smart campaign has worked to protect vulnerable road users by raising awareness about pedestrian and bicycle safety. The regional public safety campaign educates road users about safe road use in the District of Columbia.
The campaign consists of several components, including radio and outdoor advertising, media relations, digital media, and events. It is designed to complement the efforts of state and local governments to build safer streets and sidewalks, enforce laws, and better educate road users.
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