DAR File No. 27579

Public Safety, Driver License

R708-40

Driving Simulators

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 27579
Filed: 02/25/2005, 10:43
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Based upon the feedback we have received on the proposed rule, more clarification is needed in terms that are more easily understood, as to what is required to provide a fully interactive driving simulator that simulates real world driving. Also, a better description of what constitutes a non-fully interactive driving simulator is needed.

Summary of the rule or change:

A definition section that defines what "Operator Interaction" and "Field of View" is added. Also rewrote and added subsections under the new Section R708-40-4. (DAR NOTE: This change in proposed rule has been filed to make additional changes to a proposed new rule that was published in the January 1, 2005, issue of the Utah State Bulletin, on page 31. Underlining in the rule below indicates text that has been added since the publication of the proposed new rule mentioned above; strike-out indicates text that has been deleted. You must view the change in proposed rule and the proposed new rule together to understand all of the changes that will be enforceable should the agency make this rule effective.)

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Subsection 53-03-505(1)(d)(i)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no cost or savings to the state because of these changes. Driver training schools still have to meet the driver training requirement whether they use a simulator or not.

local governments:

There still may be a cost to local government if the public schools choose to use driving simulators because they must meet the standards of this rule.

other persons:

The only cost to other persons, is for those schools that want to purchase a driving simulator and for those students who want to pay to be trained by a driving simulator. Whether this cost is higher than a regular driving training class is up to the schools. The current changes do not change this.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There may be a compliance cost, which has not changed, for driver training and public schools that want to get driving simulators because they need to meet these standards.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There may be costs to businesses, which has not changed, that choose to get a driving simulator because the simulators need to meet the standards of this rule. Robert L. Flowers, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Vinn Roos at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4456, by FAX at 801-964-4482, or by Internet E-mail at vroos@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

04/14/2005

This rule may become effective on:

04/15/2005

Authorized by:

Judy Hamaker Mann, Director

RULE TEXT

R708. Public Safety, Driver License.

R708-40. Driving Simulators.

R708-40-1. Purpose.

The purpose of this rule is to define standards for [fully interactive ]driving simulators for use in [conducting]conjunction with driver training.

R708-40-2. Authority.

This rule is authorized by Subsection 53-03-505(1)(d)[(i)].

R708-40-3. Definitions.

In addition to terms defined in 53-3-102,

(1) "Operator interaction" means a condition whereby a student driver operates simulation equipment that reacts and adjusts to the student's eye, hand, foot and operation.

(2) "Field of view" means the ability to see to the right, left as well as the center of a persons visual perspective, such as a "panoramic visual field".

R708-40-[3]4. Standards for [Fully Interactive ]Driving Simulators.

(1) A fully interactive driving simulation device shall:

(a) [take in operator control inputs by use of equipment that is substantially the same in overall size, function and quality as an actual passenger vehicle, processes operator control inputs with a high-fidelity dynamic model and displays the resulting vehicle state in a manner that is substantially the same as that which would occur in an actual passenger vehicle]provide for operator interaction by use of equipment that is substantially the same in overall physical size, function and construction characteristics as the controls and seating mechanisms found in an actual passenger motor vehicle;

(b) [be capable of maintaining at least a 60 Hz visual refresh rate in a fully populated, dynamic driving scenario and a smooth visual scene that dynamically changes in response to operator/instructor inputs that approximate the out-the-window experience and enables realistic training of vehicle control, situational awareness, rules-of-the-road and emergency response]visually display the resulting vehicle positioning and effect of individualized operator interaction relative to the simulated visual and aural scenario in a manner that is substantially similar to typical conditions found in an actual passenger motor vehicle;

(c) [provide active steering force feedback]be capable of maintaining a visual scene that changes in response to operator or instructor movements, and approximates a field of view that a student would experience if seated in the driver seat of an actual passenger motor vehicle;

(d) present a field of view that enables[minimum of 150 degrees forward field-of-view (FOV)as to enable] the operator to observe a driving condition of that operator's driving[come to] into an intersection and visually [scan]scanning both directions of traffic with proper head movements;

(e) present other vehicles in a simulated visual scenarios[include scenario vehicles] that can be readily perceived as behaving in a manner consistent with real-world driving experience[ so as to enable training on situational awareness, vehicle handling in traffic and emergency response];

(f) [support real time driving performance monitoring, presentation of feedback and storage of training performance data; and]enable a student to physically respond to simulated visual scenarios in the areas of vehicle control, awareness, and general-rules-of -the-road which are listed in the Utah Driver Handbook. These include: signaling, proper use of lanes, turning, lane changes, overtaking and passing, right of way, response to emergency vehicles, allowances for pedestrians, stopping, parking, navigating a vehicle through highway work zones, traffic signs, signals and road markings, and pavement markings;

(g) [simulate Utah driving conditions and environment.]provide an active physically felt, steering-wheel resistance as feedback to the student, that is similar to conditions typically experienced while operating an actual passenger motor vehicle;

(h) provide an instructor with information drawn from monitoring, assessment, feedback and storage of training performance data; and which

(i) imitate and model Utah driving conditions and environment.

(2) [A driving simulator that does not conform to characteristics as outlined in Section R708-40-3 is not considered by the division to be a fully interactive driving simulator.]A non-fully interactive driving simulation device shall conform to the above description of a full interactive driving simulation device, except that it does not present a student with a panoramic "side and front" field of view, is used by two or more students, or does not provide an individual student's performance information as feedback to the student.

(3) A driving simulator that does not conform to the characteristics as outlined in Section R708-40-4(1) above, is not acceptable as a fully interactive driving simulator in a driver education program as in accordance with Section 53-3-505.5(2)(b).

(4) A driving simulator that does not conform to the characteristics as outlined in Section R708-40-4(2) above, is not acceptable as a non-fully interactive driving simulator in a driver education program as in accordance with Section 53-3-505.5(2)(c).

KEY: driving simulators

2005

53-3-505

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Vinn Roos at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4456, by FAX at 801-964-4482, or by Internet E-mail at vroos@utah.gov

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is NOT able to answer questions about the content or application of these administrative rules.