The present truck and bus driver training simulator feasibility study was based on the question: is it feasible to develop a new training methodology utilising low cost and medium cost simulators for truck and bus driver training? The answer is yes. The simulator fidelity is not the issue. The only really important factors for successful training is that the simulator delay is acceptably short and that the simulator can project rear view mirrors. The outcome is however, highly dependent on the curriculum content. There are not many truck and bus driver training simulators operating on the market, and very few of them have provided us with data on the simulators, as well as on their curricula. The present study is, hence, a more theoretical study. Future studies in the field of truck and bus driver-training in simulators should focus on whether actual training effects are present, with respect to training efficiency, as well as to the traffic safety impact of simulator training. This study is based on the assumption that maybe the TRAINER concept could be used not only for car driver training, but also for truck and bus driver training. We have tried to describe from a theoretical point of view what we should aim at, why we want to do it and how it may be done. This approach is the old traditional didactical triangulation, which I found suitable for this purpose. We also tried to include a questionnaire-based survey of existing truck and bus driver training simulators into the how-section of the report. The relevant study is not a full benchmarking, but rather examples of existing simulators, in order to provide the reader with a picture of what is there already on the market. Also a subchapter about technical requirements for truck and bus driving simulators has been written for non-engineers, as well as the rest of the report, and provides a clear picture of what is essential when discussing the feasibility of simulator usage in truck and bus driver training. A lot of statistics from both bus and truck driver accidents are included in this report. This Deliverable is structured in accordance to the didactic triangulation: what?, why? and how?. The reason for using this model is that a truck driver training simulator feasibility study should take a starting point in defining what should be made, before trying to evaluate reasons for doing it and the methods. Hence, this reports first chapter focuses on the objectives of this report, i.e. “what?”. After that the reasons for driver training in simulators are discussed, i.e. “why?” simulation. Finally, the means to achieve the goals are studied and analysed, i.e. “how” can this be done? (Author/publisher)
Abstract