An investigation of the feasibility of interactive videodisc as a training mode for VDOT.

Hunter, Peggi E; Perfater, Michael A · 1991 · ROSA P / Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC)

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Summary

This 1991 report by the Virginia Transportation Research Council investigates the feasibility of adopting interactive videodisc (IVD) technology as a training mode for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Motivated by the rapid development of IVD as a cost-effective, realistic training medium in other industries, the study aimed to determine if IVD was a viable option for VDOT’s employee education needs. The research sought to provide management with data on hardware costs, existing software applications, and implementation criteria to support decision-making regarding the technology's adoption. The methodology combined an extensive literature review, attendance at three national conferences on interactive video, and a survey sent to 58 state and federal transportation agencies. The researchers also evaluated two specific Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-developed IVD programs: *Pavement Structure Repair Techniques* and *Work Zone Traffic Control*. Highway maintenance personnel, trainers, and researchers operated these programs to assess their technical performance, instructional design, content accuracy, and overall effectiveness. Additionally, the study analyzed IVD hardware configurations, including disc types (CLV vs. CAV), mastering costs, and the three levels of interactivity, ranging from simple playback (Level 1) to complex computer-controlled simulations (Level 3). The findings indicated that IVD was a growing force in training across military, healthcare, and educational sectors, with several transportation agencies expressing interest in the technology. However, the report highlighted that IVD requires a significant upfront monetary investment, necessitating careful justification of costs before implementation. The evaluation of the FHWA programs revealed that *Pavement Structure Repair Techniques* was technically proficient and instructionally sound, whereas *Work Zone Traffic Control* had mixed results. The study detailed that Level 3 systems, which merge video with computer graphics and allow for complex branching and simulation, offered the most sophisticated training capabilities but required more expensive hardware, including external computers and interface devices. The report concludes that while IVD offers multiple training possibilities for VDOT, initial costs must be well-substantiated. It provides guidelines for justifying IVD implementation based on training needs, content stability, and instruction costs. Specifically, the authors recommend that VDOT conduct a pilot study of the *Pavement Structure Repair Techniques* program to further assess its utility. The study serves as a foundational assessment for integrating emerging multimedia technologies into public agency training frameworks, balancing the benefits of individualized, realistic learning against the financial and logistical requirements of hardware acquisition and software production.

Key finding

Interactive videodisc technology garners interest and support from multiple transportation agencies but requires large upfront monetary investment that must be substantiated before adoption.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 58

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• simulator training transfer