Development and assessment of a tractor driving simulator with immersive virtual reality for training to avoid occupational hazards

Abstract

Tractor overturns are the leading cause of fatalities in the agricultural sector. When drivers misuse the foldable roll over protective structure (ROPS) in tractors, it becomes highly inefficient as a rollover protection system. To solve this problem, the purpose of the present paper is to detail the development and assessment of a tractor driving simulator with immersive virtual reality for training to minimize this risk. In the agricultural sector, tractor driving simulators make it possible to train drivers in risk situations that are not feasible in the real field due to the high risk of roll over. The simulator includes a motion platform for this particular application. The findings of this study suggest that participants with safety knowledge make fewer errors in deploying the ROPS. To reduce the consequences of tractor accidents in the agricultural sector, the promotion of training courses is essential to avoid the misuse of the ROPS. On the contrary, the perception of risk and safety increased after the tractor driving simulator experience for all of the participants but increased significantly more so for non-frequent users of tractors. All of the groups of participants reported that the use of the tractor driving simulator was a positive experience because it can help them to drive more safely, and they feel that they need more training programmes in occupational safety.