Hi-tech road safety simulator unveiled by Williams

Date: 3/10/2012

The most advanced road safety simulator in the Middle East has been unveiled by Williams Advanced Engineering at the Intelligent Transport System and Road Safety Forum.

A software package installed on the device offers a 3D representation of Doha, accurately mapping the roads and simulating driving conditions and scenarios.

Three years in the making, the simulator is part of a programme to take technologies used on the racetrack to help improve general road safety.

Damien Scott, General Manager of the Williams Technology Centre in Qatar, said: "The immersive driver training simulator is the result of the partnership with Mowasalat to help pioneer the use of immersive simulators in its taxi driver training operations."

TRL is working alongside Williams and acknowledged that Qatar's economy could benefit from advanced engineering and transport science.

Paul Copping, of TRL, said: "This simulator developed for Mowasalat is an excellent example of a solution to a real social need which is being derived from cutting edge technology."

The Williams F1 team uses similar technology to that employed in the new simulator in order to train its racing drivers.

It will be used in the development of skills for those wishing to drive public transport vehicles in Doha and begins this process by analysing the skill set the driver already possesses.

The driving experience presented in the simulator is particularly realistic due to the modern projection technology leads and a 180 degree field of view.

Inside the simulator the cockpit is complete with driver and passenger seats, steering wheel, pedals and instrument gauges, just like a real life vehicle.

It is thought that in the future the simulator will be used to train ambulance and police drivers as they need to be able to drive fast in urban areas.

Another use will be to help educate people in fuel efficient driving and urban planners may use it in designing new road networks.

Mr Scott said: "I look forward to seeing the positive results of deploying this technology with Mowasalat and how it can be applied more broadly to help improve safety on the roads in Qatar and internationally."

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News, Transport Consulting News and TRL Ltd