The hardware and software design of a simulator must be carefully matched to the intended training aims in order to achieve maximum training efficiency and economical use of the training facilities.

In this paper, the training requirements for land vehicle simulators (car, truck, tank, tram) are analyzed and categorized. Various categories of the available simulator component technologies (e.g., motion systems, display systems, vehicle simulation models, etc.) are defined.

The combination of these didactic and technological dimensions are used to define a matrix of the possible solutions for training simulations.

When each of the fields is additionally rated under the economical aspect (cost of the component relative to total system cost) a three-dimensional profile of the simulator technology results. Such a profile is valid only for a period of time if the changes in training needs and technology are taken into account.

For each type of system to be simulated and the intended training aims, an upper feasible cost limit for the simulation system can be defined which is related to the cost of the original equipment and very much also to the cost of creating identical training situations in reality. If the simulator technology profile is compared to this training-specific measure, an excellent tool results to take the appropriate design decisions, or to assess the feasibility of a proposed simulator system.

This analysis may serve to indicate the direction the technical progress should take and development efforts have to be invested in order to allow for more cost-efficient and trainingeffective systems.

Examples of driving simulators (tank, truck, tram) in use or proposed in Switzerland are viewed under these aspects, and key technologies are identified which are expected to make significant progress in order to make simulators more feasible as an alternative to purely "on-the-road" training.

This method of analysis is also very well applicable to other kinds of training simulators.

Urban Thoeni

Affiliation

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Assessing Driving Simulator Technology Based on Training Requirements Analysis