Assessment of an Automotive Driving Simulator to Educate Novice Drivers

Novice drivers are more likely to be involved in vehicle crashes than more experienced drivers. Transportation system simulators, such as aerospace, automotive, and rail, have been used effectively over several decades in support of operator training and research studies. The immersive high-end automotive simulators tend to be large-scale, difficult to move, and relatively cost ineffective for widespread deployment. In contrast, a mobile vehicle training system often features simplistic environments which are not readily accepted by teenagers who evaluate the driving experience as compared to commercial video games. Consequently, a need exists for a low-cost portable automotive training system that provides a higher level of realism with superior graphics for novice drivers. In this paper, a turn-key computer system is presented with performance evaluations to assist novice drivers in the improvement of their driving skills