DRIVER SIMULATOR TRAINING
Fleet managers want vehicle operators who drive safely. Accidents, no matter how minor, represent excess costs in the form of repairs, new equipment, insurance litigation and lost work time. These factors affect a wide range of industries, involving such driving professionals as:
Common carrier and delivery truck drivers
Studies show that drivers with more EXPERIENCE are less likely to be involved in accidents. Ongoing training adds to that experience. But in today's complex driving environment, on-the-road methods are no longer effective enough. And who can afford to wreck a truck just to teach accident prevention?
Simulation is the answer. And not through a simple movie or video and a dry textbook; but interacting in real-life situations and conditions that the student can see, hear and physically feel. That's a real learning EXPERIENCE!
NATC offers a state-of-the-art program for driver training, testing and technique reinforcement. Whether as new-hire, formal training or a refresher course for veterans, this program effectively stimulates through its realism, activity and constantly challenging situations, resulting in maximum retention. Much like aircraft flight simulators, it provides a comprehensive learning platform for such critical disciplines as:
Take your training into the 21st century. This system will help change old habits, correct problem areas, improve the outcome in your favor and save you money in the process... the cause-and-effect principle in action!
The operator's cockpit duplicates the actual hardware for the type of vehicle being simulated. It includes an adjustable seat, steering wheel assembly with turn signals, complete console with working instrumentation, the appropriate gearshift mechanism and accelerator, brake and clutch pedals as needed.
The presentation area is a self-contained 72 X 14-foot enclosure with a computer-based image generator, three large screen video projection modules for window views, an operator's compartment and the instructor's control station.
Imagery is true-to-scale in complete perspective. It even includes surface shading based upon the sun's changing position. The realistic sound correlate to vehicle and driver action as well as the visual scene.
Programs incorporate both active and passive vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Vehicles are several models and colors of autos and trucks, as well as motorcycles. Density of vehicles is variable from none up to 26.
Although vehicles have been programmed for typical 'rules-of-the-road', instructors can cause some or all to randomly 'misbehave'. They then, for example, have a greater tendency to cut off other traffic when passing, or they may occasionally run a red light, each a greater challenge of the driver.
The Economics of Simulator Training: Instruction through the use of a simulator has a number of financial advantages, both time- and money-saving, in the immediate and long-term. Over and above the obvious--that fewer accidents mean less costs--below are a few other examples:
Learning is faster--as little as half the time--so drivers are productively on the road quicker. Putting drivers in specific learning situations is easier and can be repeated over and over for more cost-effective learning. Drivers retain material better, so refresher or follow-up training is required less frequently, also requires less instructors. Cost of training in a simulator is much less than actual vehicles on the road--no fuel, tires, parts, maintenance and insurance to worry about. Drivers become more equipment-conscious, saving wear-and-tear on vehicle brakes and transmissions, and reducing fuel usage-all big ticket items. Poor driving habits are better identified and safely corrected with less employee turnover. User companies have shown accident reductions of up to 22%.
Instructor setup of the simulation includes environmental conditions such as visibility, wind, rain, lighting and type of traffic. Vehicle characteristics are also established and desired equipment failures can be pre-programmed.