Why Agencies Ask: “How are other transit systems actually using simulators?”

Dorothy Driver
2 days ago
4 min read

This is a common question we hear from training teams and Boards alike, and for good reason. Driving simulators are no longer a novelty or a recruitment gimmick.

For many agencies, they’ve quietly become core infrastructure across onboarding, safety, and continuous improvement.

This article breaks down how transit agencies are using simulators in practice, how often they’re used, and why they’ve proven valuable for both new and veteran operators.

The vast array of use cases for Drivers of Tomorrow simulators and simulations

1. New Hires: Learning the Bus Before Touching the Bus

Many agencies now introduce simulators before a trainee ever steps into a real vehicle.

How they’re used:

Phones, web browsers, tablets, laptops, and PCs to learn the layout of the bus
Interactive 3D models to explore controls, dashboards, and components
Self-paced learning that trainees can revisit anytime

Why it matters:

Reduces first-week overwhelm
Levels the playing field for trainees with different backgrounds
Saves instructor time repeating basic orientation

Simulators become a confidence builder, not a replacement for hands-on training.

DOT's training can be used across multiple devices including phones, tablets, laptops, PCs, VR, and simulators

2. Pre-Trip Inspections: Higher Pass Rates, Less Stress

Pre-trip is one of the most common failure points in Class B and agency assessments. Agencies use simulators and VR to practice repetition without vehicle availability constraints.

Common uses:

Guided and free-roam VR pre-trip inspections
Multilingual AI assistants explaining procedures
"Broken bus" scenarios where faults are randomly introduced

Results agencies report:

Higher first-time pass rates
Reduced test anxiety
Stronger procedural recall under pressure

Pre-trip training becomes practice, not memorization.

A trainee dons a headset and their room is transformed and now contains an interactive virtual bus

3. Week One Training: Core Driving Skills in a Risk-Free Environment

Rather than learning fundamentals in traffic, agencies introduce them in simulation during Week 1.

Typical focus areas:

Smooth acceleration and braking
Turning and tail swing awareness
Roundabouts and tight intersections
Lane positioning and stopping accuracy

This allows instructors to pause, reset, repeat, and coach—something impossible in live traffic.

New trainees can learn everything they need to be road worthy including starting the bus, smooth operation, turns, zone stops, hill starts, roundabouts, and more

4. Mirror Awareness & Attention Training (Yes, This Is Measured)

One of the most powerful (and surprising) uses of simulators is mirror and attention analysis.

What agencies are doing:

Tracking mirror-check frequency and timing
Introducing deliberate distractions (e.g., virtual phones)
Placing subtle visual cues in mirrors to test awareness

Because it’s a simulator, this training can be gamified—turning safety behaviors into measurable skills instead of subjective feedback.

DOT has many ways to do specialized learning, this example is a screenshot from a mirror check learning module

5. Gamified Challenges & Friendly Competition

Some agencies are leaning into motivation.

Examples:

Precision cone courses
Timed roadeo-style challenges
Leaderboards for accuracy, smoothness, and safety

A few agencies are even experimenting with placing simulators in training lobbies, allowing drivers to practice or compete during downtime.

The result? Voluntary usage goes up, not down.

Gamifying some of the training modules makes it both competitive and fun, encouraging drivers to hone their skills

6. Continuous Training for Existing Drivers

Simulators aren’t just for new hires.

Veteran driver use cases:

Refreshers after incidents
Adapting to new vehicle types (diesel, electric, hybrid, para, articulated)
Policy or procedure updates
Advanced driving skills like Roadeos, weather,
Special situations like FIFA World Cup challenges
Customer Interactions, De-escalation, & Rider Satisfaction
Seasonal challenges (weather, construction, special events)

Because scenarios are repeatable and non-punitive, agencies report stronger engagement and less defensiveness.

In DOT simulators and simulations you can do the impossible, like train in fog, instantly

7. Multilingual & Anytime Training

For agencies serving diverse workforces, simulators support:

Multilingual pre-trip guidance
Self-paced learning without pressure, anytime
Consistent instruction regardless of instructor availability

This has proven especially valuable for pre-trip comprehension and compliance.

DOT experiences offer anytime any device anywhere learning opportunities - so trainees can learn at their pace, even with multi-lingual support

8. Multi-User & Multi-Perspective Learning

Some of the most advanced agencies are using multi-player simulations.

Roles include:

Bus driver
Pedestrian or cyclist
Supervisor or safety observer
Drone / “eye in the sky” view

This unlocks:

Intersection analysis
Incident reenactment
Team-based scenario review

It’s not just training, it’s shared understanding.

Nothing quite beats multi-user training, so participants can take on various roles in the same experience or merely watching from afar

9. AI-Driven Feedback & Coaching

Modern simulators increasingly provide constructive, consistent feedback:

What went well
What could improve
Suggested focus areas for the next session

This complements instructors rather than replacing them, helping scale coaching without scaling staff.

DOTs latest updates include AI instant and summarized feedback

10. Simulator Options: Any Room, Any Size, Any Stage

Agencies don’t need to go “all in” on day one.

Common configurations:

Portable units for events and recruitment
Desktop simulators for classrooms
Compact driving sims for training rooms
Full-size systems for immersive driving programs

Because systems are modular, agencies often start with one and expand over time as usage grows.

DOT offer the most driver simulator options, with everything from a seat driven VR experience, to desktop, to scaled simulators, portable, truck embedded, and full size... something to fit your room size, budget, and needs. What's more, they are modular and can be adapted and updated as neeeded.

What Boards Care About Most

When Boards ask, agencies typically emphasize:

Safety improvements
Cost savings from reduced failures and incidents
Better preparedness before real-world exposure
Data-backed training decisions
Long-term flexibility

Simulators aren’t replacing instructors or real buses—they’re making both more effective.

Want to Talk to Agencies Already Using Simulators?

Many agencies are happy to share lessons learned, best practices, and honest feedback.

If you’re evaluating simulators and want to understand how they’re actually used, we’re always happy to connect you with real-world examples or walk through use cases relevant to your operation.

Because the best way to evaluate a simulator isn’t the hardware, it’s how often drivers choose to use it.