‘An online driver hazard perception training course: Applying simulation fidelity and games’, 26 June 2021, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya

Dr Marcus Watson was the 23rd speaker in our webinar series under the 52nd Annual Conference of International Simulation and Gaming Association (ISAGA2021). He is an Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland where he leads research on human factors, education, and design. He is a national leader in simulation-based research and has received national awards for innovation in simulations. He has delivered keynotes, plenaries and workshops on simulations development, serious games, online learning, and human factors in healthcare. He has extensive experience as a developer and instructor working with computer-based simulation, high end immersive simulation, serious games, and distributed learning.

Driving accidents are rare, but the consequences are dramatic, painful and expensive. Decades of evidence have shown that training the technical skills of driving does not significantly reduce road accidents. What is required is the development of the driver’s situational awareness to predict many possible futures based on his comprehension of the observed environment and events. One needs non-technical skills to understand situations where the relationship between it is not easy to see or predict what happens after an action or task. Skills for leadership, communications and teamwork are well suited for complex domains like visual arts, creative writing and the design of games.

The University of Queensland team has produced an online program that delivers the equivalent of 1,000 years of driver experience in barely three hours. A video of an accident extracts and offers deep knowledge and perceptions for the driver in very little time. Presenting the myriad possibilities from many angles and maintaining adequate fidelity determine the depth and success of learning. Participants would anticipate potential problems, and such understanding may reduce accidents due to human error.

Repeated exposures to the hazard perception course reduce driving risks. The choice of simulations methods and the variety of gamification options motivate learning. Thus, training could be accessed and delivered at an affordable cost. The learning from the program is firmly built on the application of cognitive learning theory, and has been tested via empirical findings.

In the Q&A, Marcus said that one must choose the context of these videos, carefully. Citing the example of a driving practice in Australia and Indonesia, he explained that one country’s context may be disastrous in another. Empirical research had shown that such simulation-based training had reduced road accidents, in some cases by as much as 24%. He offered to share his research materials with Dimitry Kavtaradze. Training would help drivers to make judgements in complex unpredictable situations. Drones and sensors may be used in the game design of such simulations, as long as they fit our mental models. Simulations help to improve our search solution and act as effective hazard prediction tools.

Other ISAGA members present were Toshiko, Elyssebeth, Elena, Kanegae and Philip (Australasia). It was nice to see Luiz Titton (Brazil) and Kavtaradze in their debut appearances at this webinar series. From SVVV were Dr Rajeev Shukla, Dr Anand Rajawat, Dr Saurav Jain, Dr GHS Naidu, Dr Tushar Mandal, Er. Gaurav Shrivastava, Dr KN Guruprasad, and Mrs Namrata Jain.

ISAGA2021 is now an online event and will be organised at SVVV, Indore, India from 6-10 September 2021. We invite the S&G community to contribute to the conference. Springer will publish your papers. Contributions are also invited in the form of workshops and posters.

ISAGA2021 webinar series is a great success due to the vigorous participation of SVVV faculty, S&G professionals and researchers, and teachers from diverse disciplines. This webinar was compered by Mrs Rupali Bhartiya under the guidance of Dr Jigyasu Dubey, ISAGA Conference Coordinator.

Welcome to our future webinars. You will find the discussions an excellent platform to understand S&G and its potential to produce learning and excitement.