Use of Simulation Technology in Transportation Training: A Systematic Literature Review

Simulators are widely used in training aircrew and seafarers as they provide a safer and more affordable alternative to training in an operational environment. In this study, a systematic literature review is conducted to review their usage in air, sea, rail, and road transportation, though the information available on rail simulation is extremely limited, despite it being a vital means to transport passengers and cargo globally. With tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace, it is possible to identify articles with the most impact and highest relevance to simulation training. Studies show that training effectiveness is affected by both the equipment and instruction quality. Fidelity – a simulator’s ability to replicate the real world – of the equipment determines what levels of training can be achieved, and its ability to enable the suspension of disbelief directly contribute to the students’ success. Instructors must also facilitate positive training transfer by attaining the best performance possible from the student and provide them with scenarios representative of actual conditions. Effective crew training and proper human-computer interface design are critical for accident mitigation, as the increased system complexity can take away the crew’s attention and overload training needs. Despite their popularity in air and sea transportation, simulator training for land transportation is extremely underutilized. Cost and fidelity are the primary hurdles it must overcome to achieve popularity for rail and road transportation, and further studies are required to determine its effectiveness in reducing the accident rate of novice drivers.