Ruffner, J. W., & Woodward, K. G. (2000, April). Night Driving Training Aid: Developmental issues and lessons learned. Proceedings of the Enhanced and Synthetic Vision Conference, SPIE 14th Annual International Symposium on Aerospace/Defense Sensing, Simulation, and Controls, Orlando, FL, Vol. 4023, pp. 162-170.

Contact Information:
DCS POC: Dr. John W. Ruffner (ext 243) jruffner@dcscorp.com
Kim G. Woodward (ext 388) kwoodwar@dcscorp.com

Phone number:
(703) 683-8430 FAX number: (703) 836-6509

Address:
DCS Corporation, 1330 Braddock Place, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

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Abstract:

Results from field experiments and accident data analyses suggest that the majority of the problems experienced by military drivers using I² devices, such as night vision goggles (NVGs) can be attributed to a limited understanding of their capabilities and limitations and to perceptual problems. In addition, there is evidence that skills for using NVDs for driving are highly perishable and require frequent practice for sustainment. At the present time there is little formal training available to help drivers obtain the required knowledge and skills and little opportunity to obtain and practice perceptual skills with representative imagery and scenarios prior to driving in the operational environment. The Night Driving Training Aid (NDTA) was developed for the U.S. Army to address this training deficiency. We previously reported interim results of our work to identify and validate training requirements, to develop instructional materials and customized instructional software, and to deliver the instruction in a multimedia, interactive PC environment. In this paper we focus on describing and illustrating the features and capabilities of the final prototype NDTA. In addition, we discuss technical and training issues addressed and lessons learned for developing a low cost, effective PC-based night driving training aid.