Development and Assessment of a Connected Vehicle Training Program for Truck Drivers

Abstract

In Wyoming, because of the high likelihood of dangerous winter driving conditions, truck-related crashes on the freeway have resulted in remarkable fatalities, extended closures, and significant economic losses. The emerging connected vehicle (CV) technology has the potential to communicate road and traveler information to commercial truck drivers, which would eventually promote traffic safety. Nevertheless, currently there is a lack of a systems training program to deliver the CV technology to truck drivers. This paper developed a CV training program which contained an e-learning conceptual education module and a hands-on driving simulator training module. The e-learning module presented the concept of various CV warnings and notifications, including forward collision warning (FCW), distress notification (DN), and traveler information messages (TIMs). The hands-on driving simulator training module provided participants with a simulated environment where they could practice the CV warnings that they had met during the e-learning. Five simulation scenarios were provided to the participants, including two single-alert scenarios and three multiple-alert scenarios. A quiz section in the e-learning module and a comprehensive post-training questionnaire survey within the hands-on module were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed CV training program. Based on the feedback of 18 professional snowplow truck drivers from the Wyoming Department of Transportation, it was found that the proposed training program provided truck drivers with up-to-date knowledge and experience on CV technology.

Impact of Variable Speed Limit in a Connected Vehicle Environment on Truck Driver Behavior under Adverse Weather Conditions: Driving Simulator Study

“…CV-VSL Training. After the warm-up session, participants were provided with hands-on driving simulator training of VSL under CV environment (30). The CV-VSL driving simulator training scenario aims to provide participants training regarding how to take advantage of the CV system's advisory speed limits when driving under adverse weather conditions.…”

Evaluating the Effects of Connected Vehicle Weather and Work Zone Warnings on Truck Drivers’ Workload and Distraction using Eye Glance Behavior

“…This is in accordance with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s guidelines recommending the use of standard and easily recognizable signs, particularly those from the MUTCD for in-vehicle warning purposes ( 17 ). It is noteworthy that earlier research showed that professional truck drivers participating in the pilot’s education and training activities perceived the warnings as easy to understand ( 13 , 18 ).…”

Connected Vehicle Training Framework and Lessons Learned to Improve Safety of Highway Patrol Troopers

“…Several studies have shown the significant benefits of CV technology in enhancing the traffic safety of drivers (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). A study showed that traffic safety could be increased by providing the appropriate driving speed using CV technology (35).…”

“…The E-training module included information about, followed by questions about, the introduction of CV technology and the Wyoming CV Pilot, different components of the CV system, the suite of the CV applications and notifications, and appropriate behaviors of drivers in response to notifications and warnings. This E-training module was an extension to the previously developed CV training program for truck drivers (28), but was modified to best suit the highway patrol troopers.…”