Dubai bus drivers to receive virtual-reality training

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is turning to technology to improve safety standards

Dubai bus drivers will soon be receiving special virtual reality training.

Bus drivers in Dubai are to receive virtual-reality training to increase safety standards on the emirate's roads.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority will use the technology for basic and follow-up training courses.

One part of the training will focus on drivers who have been involved in traffic accidents or were on the receiving end of complaints from customers.

The VR training will include a number of scenarios drivers might encounter while navigating traffic in Dubai.

“It demonstrates the RTA’s efforts to apply the best global practices and harness the latest technologies in support of passenger transport activities in Dubai,” said Abdullah Al Meer, Director of Driver affairs at the RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

“The Public Transport Agency is keen on improving the training environment through using cutting-edge technologies and top global practices in the training of passenger transport drivers.”

He said VR technology had the potential to improve road safety in Dubai.

“VR technology is easy to understand as it is built on the visualisation concept,” Mr Al Meer said.

"It brings about sustained improvements in monitoring and assessing drivers' performance through identifying improvement areas and measuring the effect of training programmes and materials.

"It also enables the intake of large numbers of drivers for training at the same time [and] enables drivers to take quick action to avoid the mistakes of others, which adds to the safety of passengers.

“The introduction of smart VR technology is part of a plan for privatising passenger transport training. It will be rolled out later to all contracted training institutes.”