Construction vehicle training simulator

Abstract

To provide a construction vehicle training simulator capable of safely pseudo-experiencing an operation of a construction vehicle entering a section regulated for construction of a highway.SOLUTION: A construction vehicle training simulator 1 determines whether or not a lane change to a lane adjacent to a construction restricted lane has been made 1 km to 2 km before entering a construction restricted section, determines whether or not a rotating lamp and a hazard lamp have been turned on approximately 300 m before entering the construction restricted section, determines whether or not a direction indicator has been turned on near 100 m before a construction vehicular entrance, determines whether or not entry into the restricted section has been made at the construction vehicular entrance in accordance with a sign of a guiding person, and notifies the fact when an erroneous operation has been performed in each case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a construction vehicle training simulator that allows a user to simulate the experience of driving a construction vehicle entering a section of an expressway where construction is restricted. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, simulators that allow a driver to virtually experience driving a vehicle in order to improve the driver's driving skills are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-160128 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When construction vehicles enter restricted sections of expressways, they require specialized knowledge different from that required for ordinary vehicles, and so drivers of construction vehicles are required to have high skills. However, until now, safety driving training has mainly been conducted through classroom lessons using educational materials and videos, making it difficult to hone the driving skills required to enter restricted sections of expressways before actually driving a construction vehicle.

[0005] There are several rules for construction vehicles entering restricted sections of expressways. For example, drivers must change lanes into the lane next to the restricted section 1 to 2 kilometers before entering the restricted section. Other rules include turning on rotating lights and hazard lights approximately 300 meters before entering the restricted section. Also, turn on turn signals approximately 100 meters before the construction vehicle entrance / exit. These rules do not apply to drivers of ordinary vehicles, so drivers must learn them in advance by taking a course or riding in an actual construction vehicle. Because driving a vehicle involves human lives, it is desirable to have as realistic an experience as possible.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a construction vehicle training simulator that allows a driver to safely simulate the experience of driving a construction vehicle entering a section of an expressway that is restricted by construction work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention comprises a training unit in which trainees are stationed, an operation unit operated by the trainees, a display unit visible to the trainees, a memory unit in which video data relating to the video to be displayed on the display unit is stored, and a control unit to which the manner in which the trainee operates the operation unit is input as input data and which causes the video data stored in the memory unit to be displayed on the display unit based on the input data, wherein the operation unit is equipped with a steering unit, a rotating light switch unit, a hazard lamp switch unit, and a turn signal switch unit, and the memory unit stores driving video data seen from a construction vehicle entering a restricted construction area while actually traveling on a highway with two or more lanes, and further, based on the driving video data, the memory unit stores data relating to a first predetermined section corresponding to a construction vehicle entrance and exit through which the construction vehicle enters and exits, a second predetermined section set before the first predetermined section, a third predetermined section set before the second predetermined section, and a fourth predetermined section set before the third predetermined section, and the control unit lane change determination control content for determining whether or not the steering unit of the operating unit has been operated in a predetermined manner in order to change lanes in a fourth predetermined section; rotating light etc. lighting control content for determining whether or not the rotating light lighting switch unit and the hazard lamp lighting switch unit of the operating unit have been operated in a predetermined manner in order to turn on the rotating light and hazard lamp in a third predetermined section; direction indicator lighting control content for determining whether or not the direction indicator lighting switch unit of the operating unit has been operated in a predetermined manner in order to properly turn on the direction indicator in a second predetermined section; and an entry control content in which the operation unit determines whether the steering unit has been operated in a predetermined manner in order to enter through the vehicle entrance / exit, and the control unit further includes: a lane change erroneous operation notification control content in which, if the lane change determination control content determines "no," a rotating light etc. lighting erroneous operation notification control content in which, if the rotating light etc. lighting control content determines "no," a turn signal light erroneous operation notification control content in which, if the turn signal light control content determines "no," a turn signal light erroneous operation notification control content in which, if the turn signal light control content determines "no," a turn signal light erroneous operation notification control content in which,and an entry error notification control content that notifies the trainee of an operation error when the entry control content is determined to be negative.

[0008] This configuration allows trainees to simulate the experience of driving a construction vehicle entering an area where construction is restricted, thereby training them to drive construction vehicles efficiently and safely. In particular, the simulated experience allows them to repeatedly practice the timing of turning on the rotating lights, which are not present on ordinary vehicles but are present on construction vehicles. In addition, by reporting each incorrect operation (especially errors related to turning on the lights, such as rotating them), poor points can be immediately identified and used for retraining.

[0009] Note that construction restrictions refer to areas where construction work is being carried out and where at least no-parking zones for construction vehicles are designated.

[0010] In addition, a configuration is proposed in which the control unit is provided with a notification means for notifying the trainee of information that the trainee can know, and the control unit is provided with lane change notification control content that uses the notification means to notify the trainee of information urging them to change lanes in a section before the fourth specified section, rotating light etc. lighting notification control content that uses the notification means to notify the trainee of information urging them to turn on rotating lights and hazard lights in a section before the third specified section, turn signal lighting notification control content that uses the notification means to notify the trainee of information urging them to turn on turn signals properly in a section before the second specified section, and entry notification control content that uses the notification means to notify the trainee of information urging them to enter through a construction vehicle entrance / exit in a section before the first specified section.

[0011] With this configuration, trainees who are not familiar with driving construction vehicles can be informed of the lane they are driving in. Furthermore, they can be informed of the timing of turning on rotating lights, hazard lights, and turn signals. Furthermore, they can be informed of the correct location of construction vehicle entrances and exits. This allows trainees to safely learn the timing of various actions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The construction vehicle training simulator of the present invention has the excellent effect of allowing a driver to safely simulate the experience of driving a construction vehicle entering a section of a highway where construction is restricted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a construction vehicle training simulator according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an expressway under construction restrictions and each section according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a guidance notification process according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an erroneous operation notification process according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the guidance notification process and the error operation notification process in section A according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the guidance notification process and the error operation notification process in section A according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of specific embodiments of the construction vehicle training simulator according to the present invention. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and design modifications are possible as appropriate.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the construction vehicle training simulator 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as simulator 1) comprises a cockpit-type training section 10 with a seat 11 for the trainee to sit in, and a computer 20 that controls the simulator 1.

[0016] The training section 10 is equipped with an operating section 30 that is operated by a trainee seated in a seat 11. The operating section 30 is equipped with various operating means that simulate the driver's seat of a construction vehicle. That is, the operating means include a steering section 31, a direction indicator lever 32 that is a switch for turning on the direction indicators, a hazard lamp switch section 33, and a rotating light switch section 34. In addition, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, etc. are also equipped, just like in an actual construction vehicle.

[0017] A display unit 40 is provided on the front of the training unit 10. In response to operations on the operating unit 30, the display unit 40 displays an image of the scenery seen from the driver's seat of a traveling construction vehicle.

[0018] The computer 20 is provided with a storage unit 41 in which video data to be displayed on the display unit 40 is stored, and a control unit 42. The control unit 42 has a function to receive input data indicating the manner in which the trainee operates the operation unit 30, and to display the video data stored in the storage unit 41 on the display unit 40 based on the input data.

[0019] The storage unit 41 stores driving video data seen from a construction vehicle actually traveling on a highway with two or more lanes.

[0020] Here, when construction vehicles enter a construction-restricted section of a highway (section X where cone C is located in Figure 2), they must follow established procedures. First, they must change lanes into the lane (passing lane) adjacent to the construction-restricted lane (driving lane) 1 to 2 km before entering the construction-restricted section (section A in Figure 2). Next, they must turn on their rotating lights and hazard lights approximately 300 m before entering the construction-restricted section (section B in Figure 2). Finally, they must turn on their turn signals approximately 100 m before the construction vehicle entrance / exit (section C in Figure 2). Finally, they must follow the signal of the traffic controller at the construction vehicle entrance / exit (section D in Figure 2) and enter the restricted area.

[0021] In the simulator 1, the trainee operates the operation unit 30 based on the image displayed on the display unit 40 to train to enter a section X of the expressway that is under construction. During this training, the control unit 42 provides driving support to the trainee and notifies them of any operational errors.

[0022] The following describes the guidance and notification process executed by the control unit 42 to provide driving support to the trainee, with reference to FIG.

[0023] In S10, it is determined whether the information output on the display unit 40 indicates that the user is in (is suitable for) section A. If the user is in section A, the process proceeds to S50, and if the user is not in section A (is not suitable), the process proceeds to S20.

[0024] In S20, it is determined whether the information output on the display unit 40 indicates that the user is in section B. If the user is in section B, the process proceeds to S60, and if the user is not in section B, the process proceeds to S30.

[0025] In S30, it is determined whether the information output on the display unit 40 indicates that the user is in section C. If the user is in section C, the process proceeds to S70, and if the user is not in section C, the process proceeds to S40.

[0026] In S40, it is determined whether the information output on the display unit 40 indicates that the user is in section D. If the user is in section D, the process proceeds to S80, and if the user is not in section D, the notification process ends.

[0027] In S50, information regarding lane changes is notified. Examples of such notification include outputting a voice message saying "Please change lanes to the passing lane (driving lane)" or displaying a message prompting the driver to change lanes on the display unit 40. After notifying the driver of the information regarding lane changes, the notification process ends.

[0028] In S60, information about turning on the rotating light, etc. is notified. Examples of such notification include outputting a voice message saying "Please turn on the rotating light and hazard lights" or displaying a message on the display unit 40 urging the driver to turn on the rotating light and hazard lights. After notifying the driver of the information about turning on the rotating light, etc., the notification process ends.

[0029] In S70, information about turning on the turn indicators is notified. Examples of such notification include outputting a voice message saying "Please turn on the turn indicators" or displaying a message on the display unit 40 urging the driver to turn on the turn indicators. After notifying the driver of the information about turning on the turn indicators, the notification process ends.

[0030] In S80, information about entering the construction vehicle entrance / exit is notified. Examples of such notification include outputting a voice message saying "Please turn left (right)" or displaying a message urging the vehicle to turn left (right) on the display unit 40. After notifying the vehicle of the information about entering the construction vehicle entrance / exit, the notification process ends.

[0031] Here, the notification means is configured by a speaker (not shown) that issues various notifications by voice in the notification process, and a display unit 40 that issues various notifications by image or video.

[0032] In the simulator 1, when the trainee simulates driving a construction vehicle, an operation error notification process for notifying the trainee that an operation error has been made is executed by the control unit 42. This operation error notification process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] In S100, it is determined whether the lane in which the vehicle is traveling is the correct lane when the vehicle passes through Section A. If the lane is the correct lane (passing lane) next to the lane (driving lane) that is under construction, the process proceeds to S110; if the lane is not the correct lane, the process proceeds to S140.

[0034] In S110, it is determined whether the rotating light and hazard lights are on when the vehicle passes through section B. If they are on, the process proceeds to S120, and if they are not on, the process proceeds to S150.

[0035] In S120, it is determined whether the turn signal was on when the vehicle passed through section C. If the turn signal was on, the process proceeds to S130, and if the turn signal was not on, the process proceeds to S160.

[0036] In S130, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has correctly entered the restricted area at section D (the construction vehicle entrance / exit). If the vehicle has correctly entered, the error notification process is terminated, and if the vehicle has not correctly entered, the process proceeds to S170.

[0037] At S140, a lane change erroneous operation notification is issued to the effect that the lane change was not performed correctly, and the process is then terminated. This lane change erroneous operation notification may be, for example, outputting a voice message saying "The lane is incorrect" or displaying on the display unit 40 a message indicating that the vehicle is traveling in the wrong lane.

[0038] In S150, a notification of an erroneous operation of turning on a rotating light or hazard lamp is issued to the effect that the rotating light or hazard lamp is not turned on, and the process ends. This notification of an erroneous operation of turning on a rotating light or hazard lamp may be, for example, outputted as a voice message saying "The rotating light or hazard lamp is not turned on," or may be displayed on the display unit 40 to indicate that the rotating light or hazard lamp is not turned on.

[0039] In S160, a turn signal light erroneous operation notification is issued to the effect that the turn signal is not on, and the process ends. This turn signal light erroneous operation notification may be, for example, outputted as a voice message saying "Turn signal light is not on," or may be displayed on the display unit 40 to indicate that the turn signal is not on.

[0040] At S170, an entry error notification is issued to the effect that the construction vehicle was unable to enter through the correct entrance / exit, and the process is terminated. This entry error notification may be, for example, outputting a voice message saying "Entry not correct," or displaying on the display unit 40 a message indicating that the construction vehicle was unable to enter through the correct entrance / exit.

[0041] Here, the operation mode of the operation unit 30, the notification mode of the notification means in the guidance notification process, and the notification mode of the notification means in the error operation process will be described below by taking the process in section A as an example.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 5, when the lane being driven in is incorrect in section A, the notification means issues a notification to change to the correct lane based on the guidance notification process. If the lane change is then correctly performed by operating the operation unit 30, the notification from the notification means ends. In this case, since no incorrect operation has been performed, no notification based on the error notification process is issued.

[0043] For example, as shown in Figure 6, if the vehicle passes through section A without being in the correct lane, a notification from the notification means based on the error notification process will be issued instead of a notification from the notification means based on the guidance notification process.

[0044] In section A, in order to change lanes, the control unit 42 determines whether the vehicle is in the correct lane based on the operation of the steering unit 31.

[0045] In section B, in order to turn on the rotating light and hazard lights, the control unit 42 determines whether the rotating light and hazard lights are turned on based on the operation of the hazard light lighting switch unit 33 and the rotating light lighting switch unit 34.

[0046] In section C, in order to turn on the direction indicator, the control unit 42 determines whether or not the direction indicator is turned on based on the operation of the direction indicator lever 32.

[0047] In order to enter the section D through the entrance / exit for the construction vehicle, the control unit 42 determines whether the vehicle has entered correctly based on the operation of the steering unit 31.

[0048] In the simulator 1, for example, the results of training may be scored and an individual evaluation may be made for each trainee. The scenery displayed on the display unit 40 may be automatically generated by, for example, AI. In the above embodiment, construction restrictions are imposed on the driving lane, but construction restrictions may also be imposed on the passing lane or on the shoulder. Roads with three or more lanes may be used for training.

[0049] The display unit 40 visible to the trainee may be configured as a screen installed in front of the cockpit serving as a training area, or may be configured as a VR system worn by the trainee using so-called VR technology. Here, the display unit may be configured to display the following content: When the control unit 42 determines that the trainee has strayed from the proper route and taken an improper route based on an erroneous operation by the trainee, a configuration is proposed in which the control content is switched from displaying an image seen from the trainee's (i.e., the driver of the construction vehicle) perspective on the display unit 40 to displaying an image of the construction vehicle from the perspective of a worker positioned within the construction-restricted area X. That is, a proposed configuration is proposed in which the memory unit stores and holds video data of the scenery seen from the trainee's perspective as the driver, as well as video data of the scenery including the construction vehicle seen from the perspective of a worker located within the construction restrictions. By adopting such a configuration, the trainee can be made to recognize even more the importance of the sense of responsibility that should be maintained when driving.

[0050] The correspondence between the terms used in the above embodiments and the terms described in the claims will be explained below. Section A corresponds to an example of a fourth predetermined section according to the present invention. Section B corresponds to an example of a third predetermined section according to the present invention. Section C corresponds to an example of the second predetermined section according to the present invention. Section D corresponds to an example of a first predetermined section according to the present invention. S100 of the erroneous operation notification processing corresponds to an example of the lane change determination control content according to the present invention. S110 of the erroneous operation notification process corresponds to an example of the contents of the control for turning on the rotating light or the like according to the present invention. S120 of the erroneous operation notification processing corresponds to an example of the control of turning on the direction indicator according to the present invention. S130 of the erroneous operation notification process corresponds to an example of the entry control content according to the present invention. S140 of the erroneous operation notification processing corresponds to an example of the lane change erroneous operation notification control content according to the present invention. S150 of the erroneous operation notification process corresponds to an example of the control content for notifying an erroneous operation of turning on a rotating light or the like according to the present invention. S160 of the erroneous operation notification processing corresponds to an example of the control content for notifying erroneous operation of turning on a direction indicator according to the present invention. S170 of the operation error notification process corresponds to an example of the entry operation error notification control content according to the present invention. S50 of the guidance notification process corresponds to an example of the lane change notification control according to the present invention. The step S60 of the guidance notification process corresponds to an example of the control content of the notification of the lighting of the rotating light or the like according to the present invention. S70 of the guidance notification process corresponds to an example of the direction indicator lighting notification control content according to the present invention. S80 of the guide notification process corresponds to an example of the entry notification control content according to the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Construction vehicle training simulator 10 Training Department 11 Seat 20 Computer 30 Control section 31 Steering section 32 Turn signal lever (turn signal light switch) 33 Hazard lamp switch 34 Rotating light switch 40 Display section 41 Storage section 42 Control Unit

Claims

1. The training department where the trainees are assigned, an operating unit operated by the trainee; A display unit visible to the trainee; a storage unit in which video data relating to the video to be displayed on the display unit is stored; a control unit that receives input data indicating an operation mode of the operation unit by the trainee and displays the video data stored in the storage unit on the display unit based on the input data; Equipped with The operation unit includes a steering unit, a rotating light switch unit, a hazard lamp switch unit, and a turn signal switch unit, The storage unit includes: Driving video data as seen from a construction vehicle entering a restricted area while actually traveling on a highway with two or more lanes is stored, and further, based on the driving video data, the memory unit stores data relating to a first predetermined section corresponding to a construction vehicle entrance / exit through which the construction vehicle enters and exits, a second predetermined section set before the first predetermined section, a third predetermined section set before the second predetermined section, and a fourth predetermined section set before the third predetermined section, The control unit A lane change determination control content that determines whether or not a steering unit of an operation unit is operated in a predetermined manner in order to change lanes in a fourth predetermined section; a control content for controlling the turning on of the rotating light and the hazard lamps in a third predetermined section, which determines whether or not the rotating light turning on switch unit and the hazard lamp turning on switch unit of the operation unit have been operated in a predetermined manner; A turn signal lighting control content for determining whether or not a turn signal lighting switch unit of an operation unit has been operated in a predetermined manner in order to properly light up the turn signal in a second predetermined section; entry control content in which the operation unit determines whether the steering unit is operated in a predetermined manner in order to enter the construction vehicle through the entrance / exit of the first predetermined section; Equipped with Furthermore, the control unit lane change error operation notification control content that notifies the trainee of an operation error when the lane change determination control content determines that the lane change is not correct; When the control content for turning on the rotating light, etc. is judged to be false, a control content for notifying the trainee of an operation error is set. A control content for notifying the trainee of an operation error when the control content for turning on the turn signal indicator is determined to be "No"; An entry error notification control content that notifies the trainee of an operation error when the entry control content is determined to be false; Equipped with A construction vehicle training simulator characterized by:

2. a notification means for notifying the trainee of information that the trainee can know; The control unit lane change notification control content that notifies the trainee of information encouraging the trainee to change lanes using a notification means in a section before the fourth predetermined section; a rotating light etc. lighting notification control content that uses a notification means to notify the trainee of information urging them to turn on the rotating light and hazard lamps in a section before the third predetermined section; A turn signal lighting notification control content that uses a notification means to notify the trainee of information urging the trainee to properly turn on the turn signal in a section before the second predetermined section; An entry notification control content that uses a notification means to notify the trainee of information encouraging them to enter a section before the first predetermined section through an entrance / exit for construction vehicles; Equipped with 2. The construction vehicle training simulator according to claim 1.

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