1. Professional Driver Training Seminar
Innovative Training Techniques “The use of Simulators to enhance the Learning Experience”
Istanbul, 29 September 2005
Teppo Tenkanen
Head of Training, STC Training Centre, Finland
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

2. The simulation
Simulation is a procedure, which tries to emulate a complicated event.
A simulator is a device used for simulation.
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

3. The main goal
The main goal of training simulators is to achieve learning which improve the right decision making and learning in real situations.
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

4. The bus simulator project
SimBus
Approval by authorities
Building, testing
Definition
The idea
Safely driving: simulator
CBT: ILC for customer service
Need for modern, effective and economic training tools
Huge demand on training: customers needs, increase of costs, increase of accidents, EU directive
Training needs
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

5. Development of SimBus
The simulator has been developed in a project with Korsisaari Group ( Motiva Oy ( Team Larus Oy ( Team Simrac Oy ( and TTS Institute ( Significant expertise was brought to the project by The Finnish Vehicle Administration AKE ( , Autoliikenteen Työnantajaliitto ( , Auto- ja Kuljetusalan työntekijäliitto ( , Ministry of Transport and Communications Finland ( , Ministry of education ( Liikenneturva ( , Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre, Finnish Bus and Coach Association ( and Finnish Road Administration ( . The project was supported by National Technology Agency of Finland Tekes (
Development work continues with FCBO ( Tampere University of Technology and many other parties with support of National Technology Agency of Finland Tekes.
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

6. Top-of-the-range simulator
The project defined top-of-the-range simulator
Authorities approved definition and the simulator
simulator can be used for 15 hours of 60 driving hours (D licence)
survey of learning results
Ministry’s statute
The Minister of
Traffic and Communications
Leena Luhtanen dedicated the simulator
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

7. SimBus simulator Real bus cabin
The bus simulator, as defined, is a device that as closely as possible emulates a bus in traffic.
The moving base makes it possible for the bus to move in different directions, real sounds, real control devices and the cabin of a real bus make the device so realistic that the driver feels like driving a real bus.
Real bus cabin
The bus simulator is based on a bus modified so, that driving is possible with both manual and automatic gearbox. Basically the simulator is a two-axle, 13-meter bus, which can be changed in the software.
 Chassis length is about 5 meters, width about 2.55 meters and height about 3.1 meters. Weight including the movement platform is about kg.
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

8. Driver station Simulator control devices:
Steering, adjustable steering wheel
Manual and automatic gearbox
Gas pedal, Clutch, Brakes, retarder
Parking brake, Horn, Headlight controls
Blinkers, Tachograph
Instrument panel and indicator lights
Door functions (front door)
Kneeling of chassis
Radio, Microphone for announcements
Adjustable mirrors, Cabin fan controls
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

9. Instructor station Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

10. Instructor station
Instructor station can be placed also outside of the bus
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

11. Benefits of virtual environment
learning by doing, also by doing mistakes safely
possibility to control and change environment
weather: clear, rain, snow, wind, mist
road environment: city, rural, highway
also road surfaces: tarmac, gravel, icy/slippery
other traffic
possibility to systematic learning process
From easy tasks to challenging situations
possibility to repeat the exercise
neutral feedback: computer gives figures
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

12. Benefits of learning with simulator
Safety
Cost efficiency: no gasoline, no insurance, very low service costs
No traffic blocks if not wanted
Wanted exercise starts immediately
Possibility of augmented and simplified reality
Possibility to individual training and independent training
Equal scenarios to everybody, e.g. economic driving
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

13. Efficient training Exercise: different crossings Time needed:
in simulator 0,5 h
including report and feedback
with bus in traffic 1,5 h
40 minutes in simulator
= 1 hour in traffic
VTenL, AFT-Iftim
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

14. Different scenarios
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

15. Possibility to augmented and simplified reality
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

16. Briefing and debriefing
Reports, replays, statistics
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

17. Possibilities to use driving simulator
New drivers
choosing the students
handling the vehicle
driving in traffic
economical driving
anticipating driving
dangerous and extreme situations
testing of skills
Advanced drivers
anticipating driving
economical driving
dangerous and extreme situations
to become familiar with new vehicles
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

18. Running costs SimBus Bus Investment 500 000 250 000
Utility years
Depreciation/year
usage hours
driving kilometres
repairs
insurance
software updates
energy
rent of space (100 sqm)
All together
Costs per hour 15, ,08
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

19. One trainer, several trainees
Simulator 1
Independent
learning
with
computers
Simulator 2
Trainer
Simulator 3
Simulator 4
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

20. Challenges Reality Training programmes Simulator sickness
correspondence to reality
Training programmes
possibility of ”chunking” = too heavy load to handle
Need for careful planning: resources, other methods, training curriculum
Simulator sickness
some persons suffer of simulator sickness
many factors
research: Tampere University of Technology at Hypermedialaboratory
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

21. Professional Driver Training Seminar
Professional Driver Training Seminar Sep 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005