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Although you have probably heard the term “driving simulators,” you may not know exactly what it means. They are very powerful tools that have become increasingly popular recently, and are used by instructors, game manufacturers and researchers alike.
Flexible Training Tools
Driving simulators are not only limited to cars; they are also very useful for training operators of buses, construction vehicles, tractors, subways, emergency response vehicles, heavy equipment, trucks and trains. These flexible tools can simulate a wide variety of possible driving situations in a safe environment.
Because the results are controlled, there is no risk of injury to drivers, passengers or vehicles. Safety is a greater priority for drivers of these types of vehicles because they face driving situations that are quite different from drivers of automobiles. Driving simulators can successfully simulate scenarios that would be very difficult or dangerous to recreate in an actual driving environment.
Time-Saving Devices
Teaching drivers individually can be a very expensive, time-consuming process. Fortunately, multistation driving simulators can greatly reduce the amount of training time required. Thanks to instruction stations with centralized control of all driving stations, instructors can train a large group of drivers all at once.
Research Tools
One important advantage of using simulators is that researchers can conduct simulated studies that would be too dangerous to recreate under actual driving conditions. For example, the effects of driver distractions such as DVD players, GPS systems and cell phones can be safely studied in a simulated environment. Driving simulators enable researchers to test a variety of elements concerning driver behavior and performance in an effort to reduce accidents. Many research facilities, universities and vehicle manufacturers continue to utilize driving simulators to study driver-related issues.
Driver Training Tools
More countries are realizing the effectiveness of driving simulators as a safer method of training drivers. They can be used as an educational tool to teach new or inexperienced drivers safe driving techniques. Researchers can study the effects of driver performance, behaviour and responses under various driving conditions that would be unsafe on the actual road.
Entertainment Sources
Certain driving simulators are used strictly for entertainment purposes. Many recent racing games feature a steering wheel and brakes that players can use to simulate an actual driving environment. Racing enthusiasts are attracted to the incredible realism of the tracks and cars in many of these popular games. Driving simulators enable them to experience incredible scenarios such as racing a sports car in the Grand Prix.