Bus Driver Training Simulator Assessment

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Centerhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15272211980PDFTech ReportWright, VirginiaForman, RobertJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationUnited States. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationBoston (Massachusetts)Benefit cost analysisBus driversDriver trainingTraffic safety educationSpecificationsHuman factorsDOT-TSC-UMTA-80-20;UMTA-MA-06-0074-80-1Simulation has become an increasingly important tool in driving research, highway research, and vehicle design. This report documents the results of an investigation into the feasibility of developing a driving simulator as a means of teaching safe driving and other operating techniques in the training of bus operators. During this investigation, an Advisory Committee, consisting of representatives from small, medium, and large transit properties and from the American Transit Union, provided data on training programs, training costs, and training needs. The AFL-CIO Appalachian Council Research Department furnished the results of their survey on transit training needs and shared their experiences in developing and implementing a standards bus operator training program. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority made their training data available and arranged a tour of their training facilities. Features required a driving simulator to meet training needs were identified, and the cost of implementing and operating such a simulator were assessed. This report describes the various types of simulators, the benefits of simulation, and the potential benefits of a driving simulator for transit training. This report also presents an evaluation of existing applicable driving simulators, the tradeoffs of developing costs and operational costs versus the effectiveness of the desired features, and current training programs. This study concludes that due to the high costs of simulators with the required features, it appears that no cost benefit would accrue with the use of such a simulator. Therefore, no training time savings and safety benefits could be documented to justify the use of a driving simulator for bus operator training. (UMTA)138