Simulator performance differences between experienced and novice bus drivers.

摘要

In order to combat the problem of novice bus driver risk, a bus simulator was developed to improvedecision-making at hazards that are most often associated with bus crashes. If the simulator is capable ofdiscriminating between novice and experienced bus drivers then it can be argued that it is a valid tool for busdriver training to improve road safety. The purpose of this study then is to investigate whether there aresignificant differences between experienced and novice bus driver performance. Twelve novice bus driverswith 2-3weeks of driver training, and twelve experienced drivers who had held their PCV (PublicCommercial Vehicle) license for at least three years were asked to drive a simulated bus route. Participantsdrove for approximately 15 minutes encountering three major hazardous locations for bus driving, namely,layby bus stops, parallel bus stops and right hand junctions. At these locations, parameters measured werespeed, acceleration, position, steering and braking. The results showed that experienced drivers demonstratedgreater caution but more confident behavioural strategies at layby and parallel bus stops. At right handjunctions, experienced drivers drove slower and further away from the kerb and used the brake significantlymore often than novice bus drivers did. Results are discussed with reference to the use of a driving simulatorfor novice bus driver training.