Virtual trucks: the increasing use of driver trainers in civilian circles is having a direct affect upon current military training standards. For regardless of the working environment, all truck drivers must obey traffic regulations and learn how to control a large vehicle in all weather conditions.

Therefore, research and development conducted with mainly civilian drivers in mind can soon find application in defence circles, the driver trainers produced by Lockheed Martin Information Systems (Lmis) PC-based trainers incorporate off-the-shelf components to provide affordable training solutions.

The Intrasim driver trainer, produced in the Netherlands by Green Dino Virtual Realities, draws on work carried out by TNO Human Factors and features 'scenario-based training' using a 180[degrees] field of view visual system. It has been found that those trained on the Intrasim simulator have better driving skills than those provided with similar lessons on the road.

To train their next generation of medium and heavy vehicle drivers, both the US Army and US Marine Corps selected Faac to design simulators derived from its proven commercial driver training system (DTS). Software used in the trainers provides a randomness factor so that students cannot predict or memorise traffic behaviour.

The Trust truck simulator developed by Thales Training & Simulation is also equally adaptable to meet civilian or military needs. Realistic sound and the computer-generated imagery provide a convincing environment in the Trust system in which up to eight simulators can be networked if required. The Trust simulators can be supplied trailer-mounted if one chooses to take training where it is needed rather than oblige students to travel to a specific centre.

To meet the needs of the German Army, comprehensive classroom, computer-based and simulator truck driver training aids have been developed by a group of companies led by Eads/Dornier. By transferring 50 per cent of practical training from the truck to the simulator, the Dornier system is said to reduce costs whilst also making for a shorter period of training.

The former Soviet Union has been a source for trucks supplied to many countries. To help provide comprehensive training at reduced cost, Ukrinmash has developed a range of driver simulators including some replicating trucks. Like most of their Western counterparts, these feature advanced visual systems and electro-hydraulic motion platforms.