Developing and evaluating the feasibility and usability of desktop simulator-based driver training for international...

International college students seeking their first US driver's license represent a potentially risky and yet understudied road user group. They are mostly not regulated by graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws, making them miss out on the safety benefits associated with the laws. Available resources for them to gain driver knowledge and accumulate driving experience before licensure also remain limited. Simulator-based training offers the potential to train young drivers and improve their safe driving. The objectives of this study were to 1) develop a desktop driving simulator-based driver training program prototype tailored to international older novice drivers seeking to obtain their first US driver's license; and 2) assess the feasibility and usability of the training.

Following human-centered design principles, our research team composed of experts in human factors, driving simulator research, and injury prevention, first developed a driver training program prototype on a desktop simulator. After that we enrolled 8 international college students to trial the program prototype, surveyed and interviewed them about their experience and attitudes toward the training. We analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data collected from their simulated driving session, survey responses, and interviews to extract participants' experience with and subjective view of the feasibility and usability of desktop simulator-based training, as well as challenges and difficulties driving in the United States.

Most participants found the desktop simulator-based training easy to use and helpful in training novice drivers. They also offered practical guidance on how it may be improved. Those who had not driven prior to the study appeared to have extra difficulties following the instructions and completing the training on the simulator as planned. Language barriers, unfamiliarity with US traffic rules, and difficulties finding licensed drivers to accompany them for the road test were identified as the top challenges in obtaining a driver's license in the United States.

Desktop simulator-based driver training was perceived feasible, acceptable, and helpful to train international college students seeking their first US driver's license. Few participants struggled with simulator use due to language barriers and limited prior driving experience. Participants also highlighted key challenges faced in obtaining a US driver's license and adapting to US driving. This research is among the first to explore the use of desktop simulator-based novice driver training for this population, and offers a foundation for future development of relevant driver training programs. Our next steps will involve finalizing the development of the training program and empirically testing its effectiveness in improving the success in passing the road test and reducing post-licensure real-world risky driving behaviors.