Research driving simulators

One of the most important reasons why driving simulators are sometimes frowned at by driving instructors is that instructors themselves often experience simulator sickness when driving in a driving simulator. Because the become nauseous, they develop a strong aversive reaction but they also start to drive very poorly. And from that they conclude that driving simulators are not suited for training young people. In contrast, young inexperienced drivers almost never experience simulator sickness. So, although for more experienced drivers, a simulator has this disadvantage, it is suitable as a training method for young inexperienced drivers: the precise target group for driver training. In a number of driving simulators, simulator sickness is being handled by using a motion platform. This results in a high price and thats why these high-end simulators are usually not used for driver training, because no driving school can afford these systems. Also, there is not much evidence that a mot...

In a car driving simulator for driver training , the practice of lessons in a learner car is simulated. These can be more appropriately referred to as 'driving lessons simulators'. Sometimes driving teachers wonder what this would be better than the existing way of driver training, since they already use a learner car. Carnetsoft facilitates a different didactic rule, that is based on sound scientific research. During driver skill training, part tasks have to be automated (automation training) by task-directed practice. Each part task training, like driving off in first gear, steering or gear changing, starts with a controlled instruction training that focusses on instruction and training of that part task. After that, there's automation training of that specific part task. During the simulated task training, the degree of automation is measured using the Peripheral Detection Task (PDT). This is a method for measuring taskload and controlled/automatic processing that was d...

Driving simulators are used for various purposes. Driver training simulators for driver training come in very different price classes. For example, a desktop driving simulator from Carnetsoft with a complete driver training curriculum is available for less than 5000 euro. However, most driver training simulators cost more than 15000 euro, and yet these are still considers to be low cost. Examples are the driving simulators of STISIM , ST Software and Green Dino . STISim offers both desktop systems and cockpit systems. ST Software and Green Dino both sell cockpit simulators. The big difference between a desktop simulator and a cockpit simulator is that a cockpit simulator has a construction with a car seat attached. In cockpit simulators the controls can be real vehicle controls, but in most cases adapted game steering wheel and pedals are used. If a simulator manufacturer advertizes with real vehicle controls, then in most cases the force feedback and feel is not better at all compa...

The quality of driver training probably has a strong effect on traffic safety. A well organized driver training curriculum involves training in a wide range of traffic scenarios that include various types of roads, consistent feedback on errors, emphasis on visual scanning strategies and traffic rules and consistent monitoring of progress in skill acquisition. Training in a car driving simulator can be of great help in this. The International Commision for Driver Testing of the EU has made a report about driver training and traffic safety education . As quoted from that report: "At present young persons aged 18 to 25 account for 19 % of road deaths in the European Union, while they represent 10 % of the population. Similarly, young car drivers aged 18 to 25 account for 27 % of the total number of car drivers killed. These figures demonstrate the significance of youth in road fatalities, highlighting the need for road safety action targeted particularly at th...

In driver’s ed, it is essential to rehearse a great deal. Generally more than 40 or 50 hours of driving are required to wind up noticeably sufficiently talented for the primary driving test. The broad practice brings about a level of undertaking  simulations  that result in better regard for surprising circumstances and more proficient visual checking. This outcomes in  more secure driving . Figuring out how to drive on open streets, is essential, in spite of the fact that it has a few detriments that outcome in less successful undertaking robotization. Driving test systems can be of incredible help here, in light of the fact that the preparation educational modules in the driver preparing auto test system is particularly gone for quick ability aquisition and undertaking mechanization. As visual checking is critical in driving, the framework tracks where the student is taking a gander at. This permits the virtual teacher and trainee evaluation framework to sc...

Numerous laboratories in the world work with research driving simulators nowadays to perform experimental research into human driver behaviour, human factors, man machine interfaces or basic psychological research. One of the first research driving simulators was developed in the 90ties at the Traffic Research Center in Groningen, then a lab of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, that was aimed at traffic research. Research driving simulators are used for several purposes: Behaviour research into driving behaviour . This is usually at Universities, especially traffic behaviour research groups with a focus on psychological research Human factors research. This is usually aimed at studies into workload while interacting with in-vehicle devices, measurement of effects of distractions, for example while using a cell phone while driving. UIsers can be universities of car manufacturers Attention and psychological functions . Car driving is an example of a complex task that...