3D simulator to train heavy vehicle drivers

Kochi: After nearly six months of setting up a Rs 40-lakh three-dimensional driving simulator at Ernakulam civil station in Kakkanad, the motor vehicle department has finally given shape to a proposal on how to put to use the state-of-the-art facility.

“We mainly aim at training candidates for heavy vehicles," regional transport officer Shaji P.M. said. "So far such people get trained only on roads. Now they can get a real road experience in rainy season or night or for that matter in foggy conditions. Steep curves and high ranges also could be experienced in the simulator.”

The Ernakulam regional authorities have finalised a study that includes the cost per person for using the simulator for a particular period, taking into account power consumption and other expenses.

“We would submit the final report containing the proposals to the government within three days. They should say whether the service should be offered free or for a nominal fee,” the officer said.

It is installed at Time Conference Hall. A similar simulator, which provides 3-dimensional images with three separate screens, has already been installed in Kozhikode and work of another one is currently underway in Thiruvananthapuram.

“A special software is being used in the simulators that can create real road-like situations and also respond to inputs given by the driver. ,” he said.

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