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FERSI training seminar on simulator-based training and research

& TRAIN-ALL Workshop

14-16 September 2009, Thessaloniki, Greece

The FERSI training seminar took place in Thessaloniki, on 14-15 September 2009, where FERSI experts and TRAIN-ALL Partner representatives presented driving simulator technologies, tools and scenarios, adequate for training all types of drivers (professional, private, elderly, etc.) and riders; as well as their subsequent needs and wants. It was thus a truly multidisciplinary seminar, of high value for technological tool developers, drivers/riders trainers and other stakeholders (i.e. traffic safety experts, representatives of relevant Ministers, researchers, etc.).

The seminar was followed by a technical visit of TRAIN-ALL simulators technology in the afternoon of 15 September and the final TRAIN-ALL Workshop on 16 September. TRAIN-ALL, a FERSI endorsment project, co-funded by the European Commission, developed a computer-based training system for different land-based drivers cohorts. The core development  focused on driving simulators, with the realisation of several prototypes. New simulation tools have been developed for motorcycle riding, passenger car (both for novices and emergency drivers) and truck driving. The new tools include also VR-based immersive simulation tools, as well as a common architecture and a modular simulator design process for multi-user, group training.

More information can be found in our NEW Newsletter
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About 40,000 people are killed and 1,700,000 injured each year in accidents in the European Union. 150,000 victims become permanently disabled.

A significant part of these accidents involves particular driver cohorts, such as motorcycle riders, truck drivers and emergency vehicle drivers. For example, accidents with the involvement of novice drivers account for roughly 15% of all traffic accidents, whereas this group accounts only for 2% of the total traffic volume. 

Several scientific studies have shown that a good percentage of these accidents may be attributed to insufficient or even inappropriate training, of higher order skills and risk awareness. CBT tools, such as training videos and CD's, multimedia training s/w, static and dynamic driving simulators, VR and AR driving simulators, Ambient Intelligence and cooperative driving- based simulation systems, mobile units (i.e. eye tracking) and in-vehicle tools (black box, ADAS, IVICS, cameras) have been proposed and used to train relevant skills in small scale projects so far.

TRAIN-ALL aims to develop a computer-based training system for different land-based drivers cohorts, that integrates multimedia s/w, driving simulator, virtual driving simulator and on-board vehicle sensors, into a single modular platform. The new system will be cost-effective (create viable business), adequate both for training and assessment. The core development will be focused on driving simulators, with the realisation of several prototypes. New simulation tools will be developed for motorcycle riding, passenger car (both for novices and emergency drivers) and truck driving.

The new simulation tools will have many innovative features, such as AmI-based traffic participants (representing real individual drivers’ behaviour), virtual instructor guidance, ADAS/IVICS training modules and will support co-driving, cooperative and group training, remote networking, dynamic scenario management, enhanced reality representation and adaptive training. Emphasis will be given on technologies and concepts to avert motion sickness phenomena, as well as to objectively define simulator fidelity level.

The developed tools will be tested and optimised in 10 pilots Europewide, aiming at products, guidelines, standards, certification and accreditation at pan-European level. This task is undertaken by a consortium of 17 Partners from 8 European countries, including 6 major manufacturers.