Simulator Evaluation

Background

The proposal covers the post-scoping phases of the Project P4.101 Driver Performance Monitoring and Feedback Systems. Whilst a great deal of work has been done from a Human Factors perspective on the design of simulators, there have been very few studies of transfer of learning outside the simulator or on the implementation of simulators in organisational contexts. The consensus of opinion amongst the industry members of the project steering committee is that simulators are under-used. Hence, it is important that the industry indentify how best to use simulators to improve driver performance.

Objective

This project aims to identify what simulator-based training is most effective for, and how training organisations need to organise themselves to make the most effective use of simulators. This project follows on from P4.101 (Scoping Current Practices in Driver Performance Monitoring and Feedback).

Outcomes

While simulators are widely agreed to be useful training tools, especially in preparing drivers for degraded conditions, no information currently exists about:

• what particular skills should be targeted for simulator training,
• exactly what role simulators should play in the whole training package, or
• how in-simulator training compares logistically and financially with other methods of training.

This project aims to address these issues, thereby delivering increased efficiency in the use of simulators and better training results, with obvious benefits for industry.

Benefits

The project benefits include improved safety and reduced operational costs, more efficient and effective use of simulators, better and more consistently trained drivers, and savings on training through efficiently targeting simulator use.