SNOWPLOW DRIVING SIMULATOR – VS600M-S

REALISM

The simulation of the vehicle dynamics of the Snowplow is based on actual data collected in the field to ensure that the driving experience in the simulator feels as realistic as possible. Realism is further enhanced in the Virage Simulation training program through the following features:

• Actual (OEM) joystick
  Simulation of the spreader, left, right or rear (configurable by the instructor)
• Instructor selectable configuration of front plow and wings (front plow only, front and right wings, front and left wings, front and both wings, including different length and type)
• Motion and vibration cues related to the movement of the plows
• Sound and motion cues correlated with the plow’s position (up or down) or when driving over railways or expansion joints
  Vehicle performance affected by the amount of snow being pushed
• Visible plowed area including 3D windrow
• Possibility of stopping, backing up and replowing a given area
• Plowing of a complete village
• Visible road lines in the mirror allowing the driver to assess the vehicle’s lane position
• A variety of driving visibility conditions
  Multiple vehicles active within the same scene, complementing each other (echelon plowing)
• A complete list of realistic scenarios with specific training objectives.

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Snowplow Configurations

The following Snowplow configurations are available and selectable from the operator station:

Front plow

Reversible :	10,12 and 14ft
Fixed :	10,12 and 14 ft

Wings

Right wing :	10,12,14 ft
Left wing :	10,12,14 ft

Belly plow

The controls of the plows are simulated using a standard industrial joystick correctly mounted relative to the driver’s seat.

The spreader control is graphically simulated on the touch-sensitive Multi-Function-Display (MFD).

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Virtual Environment

Highway

The Highway visual scene is available with different levels of snow accumulation. Below is a screenshot from the VS600M snowplow simulator

Over 60 miles of divided highways (4- and 6-lanes) are available, connected by rural, undivided highways leading to small villages. Different types of entry/exit ramps are available including cloverleaf ramps. Rails, concrete dividers, poles, road signs, construction zones, accidents, abandoned vehicles and other obstacles are added to meet the training objectives.

City

Three versions of the city scene are available:
2. Roadway covered with snow, sidewalks cleared
3. Both road and sidewalk covered with snow

Customized road scenes

Customized scenes are built to support specific training objectives and are used mainly for part-task scenarios with repetitive drills for training procedures such as railroad crossing, U-turns, bridges etc.

Practice Field

The practice field is used to practice basic manoeuvers such as backing up, serpentines etc

Weather conditions
The following conditions are adjustable:
– Rain intensity
– Snow intensity
– Wind direction
– Day / night

The road friction coefficient changes automatically as weather conditions change and can be modified as required.

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Training Program

The standard Virage Simulation scenario library includes a set of training scenarios to train different aspects of truck driving, such as lane keeping, visual attention, entering and exiting highways, lane merges, passing, turns, hazard perception etc.

In addition to the standard library, the following specific Snowplow Training Scenarios are available.

1. Snowplow and Spreader – Basic Controls
Drivers learn to manipulate the front plow, left and right wings as well as the spreader while observing from the cabin or from an external view.

2. Backing Manoeuvers
This Performance-Based Practice (PbP) scenario focuses on backing manoeuvers and allows drivers to progress towards skill mastery at their own pace with minimal instructor supervision. The scenarios provide access to alternate viewpoints, e.g. helicopter views, objective feedback on vehicle position, time and quality of the manoeuver.

1. Backing up – level 1
2. Backing up – level 2
3. Backing up – advanced with obstacles
4. Backing up – group challenge

3. Snow Plowing – Introduction
The objective of these scenarios is to practice adjusting the plows to avoid obstacles while driving at normal speeds. The driver progresses through a snow-covered “infinite” road bordered by rails, parked vehicles, bridges and railroad tracks. Drivers practice correct plowing procedures and receive feedback on their performance (positioning, collisions). Obstacles are added to the road side so drivers can practice properly adjusting their position and plows. Scenarios are available for city, rural road and freeway.

1. Snow Plowing – Railroad Crossing
   Continuous Railroad Crossings
2. Snow Plowing – Intersections
   Series of intersections
3. Snow Plowing – Bridges and Overpass
   Series of bridges and overpass
4. Snow Plowing – Incoming Traffic
   Regular oncoming traffic including trucks and Snowplows
5. Snow Plowing – Miscellaneous obstacles – one way
6. Snow Plowing – Miscellaneous obstacles – two-way lane

4. Highway
Drivers practice correct procedures on a highway with challenges, e.g. car disabled on side of road, bridges, overpasses and side rails. At times, visibility significantly reduces forcing drivers to navigate using landmarks.

1. Plowing Procedures – Freeway Echelon Plowing – Lead Plow
   Drivers practice correct plowing procedures while plowing snow-covered highway and acting as the Lead Plow in a realistic environment. Obstacles on the side of the road, traffic and low visibility force the driver to take appropriate actions. The Rear Plow is simulated as an autonomous vehicle and maintains a following distance determined by the scenario.
2. Plowing Procedures – Freeway Echelon Plowing – Rear Plow
   Drivers practice correct procedures while plowing snow-covered highways and acting as the Rear Plow. The Lead Plow is simulated as an autonomous vehicle and drives at variable speeds. The driver must maintain the appropriate following distance with the Lead Plow in order to manage traffic while avoiding obstacles on the side of the road.
3. Plowing Procedures – Ramp Plow
   Drivers practice correct plowing procedures while plowing a ramp. Obstacles on the ramp, traffic and low visibility force the driver to take appropriate actions.

5. Rural
Drivers practice correct procedures on a rural road with oncoming traffic, cars stuck on the side of the road, cars exiting driveways, garbage bins and oncoming snow plows. Challenges occur when oncoming traffic is timed to approach as the snow plow passes road side obstacles, e.g. cars or garbage bins on the side of the road. At times, visibility significantly reduces forcing drivers to navigate using landmarks.

6. Village
Drivers have to plow a complete section of the village, making turns, cleaning a dead-end, backing etc.

7. City

1. Learning to manoeuvre a snow plow vehicle – Summer scene
   Drivers follows a city route dictated by the GPS with the plows up, driving through intersections and making turns where requested.
2. City – Introduction to city Intersections
   Drivers practice correct procedures while plowing snow-covered city streets.
3. City – Intermediate
   While plowing snow-covered city streets with parked vehicles and traffic, drivers practice correct plowing procedures and receive feedback on their performance.
4. Snow Plowing Practice – Advanced
   Under conditions of heavy precipitation, drivers plow a city route with snow-covered sidewalks, randomly parked vehicles, garbage bins, a variety of different road users and a range of normal driving hazards.

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Belly Plow Training Program

The VS600M truck simulator simulates a typical belly snow plow used in many municipal fleets.  The five modular snow plow-training scenarios in this program include hands-on practice with the basic controls, an introduction to snow plowing, intersections, advanced practice and adverse conditions.

Snow Plow Operation scenarios

1. Snow Plow and De-icer – Basic Controls.
   Drivers learn to adjust the:
   • Snow plow blade height and angle
   • De-icer and observe the effects of the spinner and blast controls
2. Snow Plowing – Introduction
   While plowing a snow-covered road bordered by sidewalks, parked vehicles and intermittently crossed by railroad tracks, drivers practice correct plowing procedures and receive feedback on their performance.
3. Plowing Procedures – Introduction to Intersections
   Drivers practice correct plowing procedures while plowing snow-covered city streets.
4. Plowing Procedures – Intermediate
   While plowing snow-covered city streets with parked vehicles and traffic, drivers practice correct plowing procedure and receive feedback on their performance.
5. Snow Plowing Practice – Advanced
   Under conditions of heavy precipitation and sidewalks covered with snow, drivers plow a city route populated with different road users, randomly parked vehicles and a range of normal hazards.

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