Client

SiFaT Road Safety GmbH is a company in Berlin that builds and rents out high fidelity driving simulators for commercial drivers since 2007. Not only do their simulators allow a mobile deployment at the customer to conduct trainings, but focus heavily on a realistic depiction of driving. In addition to a safe and environment-friendly setting - compared to the training with a truck in the field - the possibility to standardize the presented training scenario and cause specific traffic situations within the simulation should be highlighted.

For further information please refer to SiFaT Road Safety GmbH.

Project Partners

Client: Klaus Haller, SiFaT-Road Safety GmbH

Project Team: Ali Can Daniel Baykal, Alexander Bogenrieder, Eduard Boschmann, Cedric Große, Ekaterina Kim, Sabrina Rohrer, Nina Alexandra Wahn, Hülya Topbas, Leonard Wiering, Xiaohong Xie

Project Managers: Philipp Schrader, Maria Wirzberger

Advisors: Dr.-Ing. Katja Karrer-Gauß, B.Sc. Cornelia Lüderitz

Responsibility: Prof. Dr.-Ing Matthias Rötting

Project Description

An environment-friendly way of driving a truck is influenced by a variety of factors. Besides the transported load and the geographical condition of the route, the individual manner of driving of the operator presents a main influencing variable. Studies show that a trained driver is able to significantly limit fuel consumption by utilizing specific driving techniques. At this point training methods come into play. Their goal is to override old habits and create a sustained awareness of eco-driving in the drivers. Furthermore, a predictive manner of driving can prevent traffic accidents and therefore further reduce costs. Here the benefit of simulator-based training becomes evident since actively involving field tests in traffic would be unsafe and cost-intensive due to fuel-consumption.

The project's task consisted of executing and evaluating a simulator-based training provided by SiFaT Road Safety GmbH. Important parameters of driving and fuel consumption (both before and after the training) were surveyed. The gathered data was analyzed in relation to training effectiveness. Furthermore, the project team developed and conducted a structured interview with the test subjects. Data were analyzed statistically as well.

Based on a creative session, the study of literature and the answers provided by the test subjects, several suggestions directed to foster motivation for retaining an environment-friendly way of driving were generated. This involved enhancing the current certificate drivers are handed over after completing the simulator training at SiFaT. Additionally, concepts for stickers and others gimmicks were devised and presented to the client.

Moreover, results were published in TU-intern and LivePR.