Immersive Work Zone Inspection Training Using Virtual Reality

Can virtual reality tools be used to train engineers that inspect work zones? In this report, we share the findings of a research project that developed an interactive and immersive training platform using virtual reality to train state department of transportation (DOT) staff that inspect work zones for compliance. Virtual reality offers an immersive platform that closely replicates the actual experience of an inspector driving through a work zone, but in a safer, cheaper, and quicker way than field visits. The current training practice involves reviewing temporary traffic control procedures and reports, and pictures from previous inspections. The developed platform consists of a learning module and an immersive module. The learning module is founded on the historical knowledge gained by DOT staff from inspections dating back at least five years. The immersive module places the trainee in a vehicle moving through a work zone, thus providing a realistic experience to the engineer prior to inspecting a real work zone.  The synthesized knowledge was converted into a concise, easy-to-consume format for training.

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Report number: cmr 20-001
Published: February 2020
Project number: TR201901
Authors: Praveen Edara (P.I.), Carlos Sun (co-P.I.), Khaled Aati, and Daeyeol Chang
Performing organization: University of Missouri-Columbia