Principal Investigator(s): Walter Lucman
Current Researchers: Dwight McCallum,Eric Stevens,Fangjun Ning,Jenny Lees,Michael Couture,Michael Craft,Phillip Weisberg,Rahul Kumar
Project Write-up:
| The CATT Lab is working with the I-95 Corridor Coalition and Forterra Systems Inc. to create an intensive training program that uses three-dimensional, multi-player computer gaming simulation technology and distance-based learning technologies to test, validate, certify, and reinforce the dissemination of best incident management practices across the Coalition region. A virtual incident management training program is being developed. The program will present typical incident situations and allow the participants to play out their normal roles in what is essentially a highly structured and recorded video game. In this way traffic management personnel and incident responders can experience a wide array of realistic scenarios, analyze the impacts of their decisions, and be trained about appropriate responses and communication as well as the consequences of inappropriate responses and communication breakdowns.  Figure 1shows a group of transportation first-responders participating in an incident scenario while Figure 2 contains examples of how scenarios are depicted via the virtual training software.  The system will enable practical, scenario-based, interactive, real-time incident management training for up to 500 responders, trainers and “victims” simultaneously at a variety of locations. Participants will include state, county, and local transportation departments, toll road authorities, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency service providers, medical examiners, hazardous materials handlers, towing companies, the media, and other operating agencies and entities across the Corridor. The training program can be accessed from any location with an Internet connection thereby reducing training and travel costs and enabling increased participation. The program is designed to educate and validate quick clearance practices and related incident management techniques, but it is also designed to promote communication, coordination and cooperation among organizations involved in incident management. By involving responders from many different agencies, exposing them to best practices, establishing expectations that they will meet or exceed standards for good practice, and allowing them to discuss methods and issues with their peers, we believe that they will achieve more consistent performance, more innovation, and better and safer delivery of incident management services. |
