R708-40. Driving Simulators  


R708-40-1. Purpose
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The purpose of this rule is to define standards for driving simulators for use in conjunction with driver training.


R708-40-2. Authority
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This rule is authorized by Subsection 53-03-505(1)(d).


R708-40-3. Definitions
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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".


R708-40-4. Standards for Driving Simulators
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(1) A fully interactive driving simulation device shall:

(a) 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) 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) 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 the operator to observe a driving condition of that operator's driving into an intersection and visually scanning both directions of traffic with proper head movements;

(e) present other vehicles in a simulated visual scenarios that can be readily perceived as behaving in a manner consistent with real-world driving experience;

(f) 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) 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 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).