Driving Simulators for Commercial Truck Drivers - Humans in the Loop

Allen, Talleah; Tarr, Ronald · 2005 · Crossref

DOI: 10.17077/drivingassessment.1181

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Summary

This study investigates the relationship between driving simulator fidelity and human performance outcomes for commercial truck drivers. The research aims to determine whether specific simulator levels are better suited for particular skill sets, thereby optimizing training costs and effectiveness. The authors hypothesized that higher-fidelity simulators would yield superior performance, particularly for psychomotor tasks, while lower-fidelity systems might suffice for cognitive or rule-based tasks. The study utilized the Virtual Check Ride System (VCRS), a simulator-based Commercial Driver’s License application, to standardize scenarios across four distinct simulator levels. The experimental design involved randomly assigning individual drivers to one of four simulator categories, ranging from low-cost PC-based systems to high-end motion-based platforms. Level 1 included a PC simulator ($1,000–$6,000) and a FAAC Rabbit simulator ($25,000), both lacking air brakes, transmission, and wide field-of-view (FOV). Level 2 featured the VS2 Truck Simulator ($65,000), which included accurate cab mechanics like air brakes but lacked a 180-degree FOV. Level 3 was the Patrol Simulator ($160,000), offering a 180-degree FOV but lacking heavy truck-specific mechanics. Level 4 was the Mark II Truck Simulator ($500,000), a full-motion platform with a 270-degree FOV and comprehensive vehicle dynamics. All participants navigated identical scenarios, allowing for direct comparison of performance scores across platforms. The results partially supported the initial hypotheses. Performance was highest in the Level 4 simulator, confirming that high-fidelity systems yield the best outcomes for complex tasks. However, no significant performance difference was found between Level 3 (180-degree FOV) and Level 2 (single-channel FOV) simulators, despite differences in degrees of freedom and cab realism. Level 1 simulators performed slightly better than expected, particularly when equipped with engineered steering systems that replicated vehicle dynamics. The study identified that limited FOV in Levels 1 and 2 hindered tasks requiring peripheral vision, such as mirror checks, while joystick steering in basic PC setups negatively impacted maneuvering tasks. The findings suggest that simulator selection should be task-dependent rather than universally high-fidelity. Cognitive skills and basic knowledge can be effectively trained on affordable desktop simulators, whereas advanced psychomotor skills, such as emergency skid recovery, require higher-level simulation. This distinction allows operations managers to prescribe specific simulator levels for diagnostic, pre-hire, and remediation training based on cost-effectiveness and specific performance goals. The study concludes that while not all simulators are equal, each level contributes to human performance improvement when matched with the appropriate skill element.

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Topics

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• simulator validity fidelity
• simulator training transfer
• simulator sickness

Information type

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• Methodological Resource: tool software, validation psychometrics
• Theoretical Contribution: computational model