Simulation Training: Staying in Character and Using Consequences to Get the Most Out of Your Sim
Published on January 12, 2021

Regardless of your equipment or budget, there are two key practices that can consistently increase the effectiveness of any simulation training program: 1. Build Consequences into Each Scenario 2. Stay in Character Rob Raheb—a simulation training specialist with FAAC—has decades of experience in Emergency Medical Services and has trained first responders and transit drivers … Continued
Bus Training Simulators: A Change in Transit Culture
Published on
Bus training simulators have changed the way we think about driver training. In this video, two subject matter experts discuss the impact made by bus simulation training and some common misconceptions about the process. Learn more about FAAC’s bus training simulators here: https://www.faac.com/commercial/bus/ Or contact us directly: https://www.faac.com/commercial/contact/ In this video, Clayne Woodbury (North American … Continued
Precision Immobilization Technique: The Best Tool for Ending Police Pursuits?
Published on January 7, 2021

The “precision immobilization technique” (or “PIT”) is one of the very few tools law enforcement has to stop a dangerous pursuit immediately. But it carries certain risks and is becoming increasingly controversial. When performed at lower speeds (below 35 mph), this maneuver—sometimes also called a “pursuit intervention technique” or “tactical vehicle intervention” (“TVI”)—is generally … Continued
Using Your Bus Simulator to Hire for Attitude, Not Just Experience
Published on December 22, 2020

Every transit agency struggles with churn and a shortage of good applicants. Take St. Louis Metro Transit as an example. That agency needs to hire and train at least 100 to 120 operators per year, just to stay ahead of churn. Traditionally, transit agencies have dealt with this by seeking to hire individuals who already … Continued
Bus Simulator vs. “Bending Metal Behind the Wheel”: Helping Operators Acclimate to Vehicle Dynamics
Published on December 17, 2020

Even when transit agencies go out of their way to seek out applicants with prior large/commercial motor vehicle (CMV) experience, they find that those trainees can struggle to learn how to maintain proper right rear clearance, “walk” the bus around the corner, and continue to properly scan the area and mirrors. Increasingly, they are … Continued
Examining Bus Simulator Return-on-Investment: A Tool, Not a Toy
Published on December 7, 2020

When communities consider investing in bus simulator training, they want to be sure they’ll see a return on that investment (ROI). Rob Raheb is a simulation training expert who’s worked closely with transit agencies for nearly a decade. According to Raheb, it’s natural for any organization to say, “We just spent three-quarters of a … Continued
Bus Driver Training that Increases Awareness, Decreases Accidents
Published on September 7, 2020

Bus during training programs that rely on traditional closed-course driving can struggle to truly test operators’ situational and hazard awareness. Fortunately, these are areas where “permission to fail” simulation training is known to shine. Simulation Supported Bus Driver Training in Champaign-Urbana Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) in Illinois has been using FAAC bus … Continued
Simulation Training and the “Permission to Fail”
Published on August 17, 2020

We’re too hung up on being right—that’s the conclusion of a 2017 article in Annual Review of Psychology: “Although error avoidance during learning appears to be the rule in American classrooms, laboratory studies suggest that it may be a counterproductive strategy.” Reviewing more than 60 years of academic literature, Janet Metcalfe (a psychology professor … Continued
What Race Car Drivers Can Teach Transit Operators about Driver Simulation
Published on August 3, 2020

Max Verstappen isn’t even old enough to rent a car in the United States, but he’s a remarkably distinguished auto racer: Verstappen is the youngest driver to compete in Formula One (F1) racing, the youngest driver to lead a lap during a Formula One Grand Prix, the youngest driver to set the fastest lap … Continued
FAAC and XVR to bring VR training to the next level in the US
Published on July 10, 2020

FAAC upgrades its incident management simulator, inCommand, with the state-of-the-art XVR Simulation Platform Leading simulation manufacturer FAAC Incorporated (Ann Arbor, MI) has teamed up with the world leader in emergency response simulation training, XVR Simulation (the Netherlands). Together, they introduce the most immersive and realistic incident management simulation training platform available to US Fire … Continued