TRAINER Project: Development of an Improved Learning Method for Training Novice Drivers with Simulators 2001-01-3381

Novice drivers frequently tend to overestimate their driving skill as compared with experienced drivers. Furthermore, they are not so familiar with the actual dynamics of their vehicle, which effects, for example, the point at which they think they can still stop for an object. Traditionally, driver training has focused on vehicle control skills and traffic rule knowledge without efforts to improve higher order skills. These higher order skills are included in driver training in many countries but rather in a theoretical way, included in textbooks, and is not covered in practical training. The reason is that this problem cannot be systematically handled in practical training, as on roads risky situations are scarce and usually avoided. Hence, realistic, interactive, off-road tools are required. This paper focuses on the development of TRAINER tools (multimedia interactive software and simulators) that will be integrated into a common European driver education and assessment methodology. Goal is to contribute to solving the serious problem of novice drivers and their safe integration into the traffic environment, thus promoting the “Road Safety in the EU” policy of EU, as well as the policy towards “Common driver training and licensing procedures in the EU”. Finally, driver training and assessment have not followed the rapid evolution of in-vehicle passive and active safety systems and telematic aids. Hence, drivers today are using or are about to use equipment for which they have not been trained. From the above it is clear that there is a pressing need for a new pan-European driver training methodology, which will focus more on the enhancement of higher order skills of novice drivers, including the use of new telematic aids. This will be achieved through the development of interactive multimedia software and low and mean-cost simulators within the TRAINER project.