The question of simulation fidelity and validity is of concern in a wide number of driving applications. This paper reviews the general issues associated with fidelity and validity. For training applications, fidelity and validity relate to training effectiveness. Training effectiveness is typically measured in terms of real world driver behavior and performance. This paper describes a novice driver training experiment using simulators of three levels of fidelity. Driver simulator performance was measured forcomplex driving scenarios containing repeated exposure to hazardous situations. The driving records for the participants were also analyzed for a period of 40 months after training. Inferences are drawn about simulator fidelity and validity based on participant simulator performance and real world driving record. Confounding effects in the database are also discussed due to several uncontrolled variables. These confounding effects are relevant to the design of future transfer of training studies.
Samenvatting