It is possible to learn how to drive a car without using one. Using an advanced driving simulator offers the possibility of teaching specific aspects of the driving skill without the drawbacks of normal driving lessons on the street. This paper describes a Personalized Adaptive Cybernetic Training (PACT) system based upon theories in cognitive psychology about skill learning. PACT has 13 serial-order modules. Trainees drive as much as possible alone. The instructions are given digitally and automatic. A specific traffic world is used in the simulator with a variety of roads, intersections, roundabouts, traffic lights, etc. The trainee is confronted with other vehicle traffic. How traffic situations are negotiated by the trainee is recorded and can be played back in various ways for giving feedback. In an experiment PACT was presented to six subjects. After having done the modules, they had to pass a `virtual driving test'. The expert instructors judged their performance as ranging from moderate to excellent. It may be clear that learning how to drive on an operational level is not possible in a (fixed-based) simulator. However, the manoeuvre and strategic level may well benefit from this systematic way of teaching.
Abstract