The development of an interactive multimedia simulation software for advanced driver's training - The trainer system

Young drivers overestimate their driving skill and are not familiar with the actual dynamics of the vehicle. Furthermore they are not aware of good driving practices that usually comes with experience. In addition, driver assessment and training has not followed the rapid evolution of in-vehicle passive and active safety systems and telematic aids, such. as navigation, route guidance, cruise control, anti-collision sensors, etc. Thus, there is a clear need to develop a practical method to make the driver aware of aspects such as his/her own and other road users' limitations, vehicle and infrastructure limitations, lack of experience, the problem of overestimating one's driving ability, the feedback and risk compensation process, etc. For this, the driver trainee should be placed in situations where he/she is shown that his/her own decisions were based on aspects such as overconfidence or risk compensation. This can of course - not be performed in real traffic. Within EU co-funded TRAINER (GRD1-1999-10024) project, a new driver training curricula is developed, with the active participation of the European Federation of Driving schools (EFA), driver assessment centers (CIECA), car industry (Fiat), etc., that employs the use of multimedia simulation of critical driving scenarios and semi-dynamic simulators. This paper presents the interactive, multimedia simulation software developed within TRAINER in 8 languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Swedish).