The Virtual Check Ride (VCR) as a Diagnostic and Remediation System

This paper describes how the Florida and U.S. Departments of Transportation have identified safety and operator performance as major objectives in addressing the inter-modal transportation needs of the state and nation. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is working diligently to address the issue of safety on Florida’s roads by developing and enforcing standards and certification of Commercial Driver License (CDL) training and issuance, as well as continual monitoring via enforcement. The Florida Trucking Association (FTA), representing the commercial industry side of the community, is likewise very concerned and is also taking steps to deal with these challenges. Clearly the issue of safety and the proper training of persons who will be operating a heavy truck are of great concern to all of us in the community. Driver training, safety, security, performance enhancements and accident reduction are priority issues in the truck driving industry. The VCR is a simulated knowledge and skilled-based diagnostic and remediation system for professional truck drivers, using multimedia blended simulation that includes computer-based training (CBT) elements. While the implications of the VCR are rich with possibilities, the goal of this research is to validate and verify the VCR system within the trucking community.