Virtual Reality Site Inspection Training

1
Virtual Reality Site Inspection Training

• Howard Thorp - Technical Advisor
• Project Manager

2
ONSITE Project

• Carried out with AIMS Research based at
  Nottingham University
• Using SAFEVR software developed by AIMS
• From Oct 2000 - June 2002
• 3 phases
• 1 - Landfill Winter and Spring
• 2 - Upgrade - Landfill Directive
• 3 - Interactive - Waste Transfer station

3
Use as a Process Tool

• Designed for use by field officers (EO)
• AIMS
• to develop site inspection skills in PPC waste
  management licensing
• To develop competency in the the of waste OPRA
  (Scoring!)
• Inspection methodology training
• to produce a innovative, flexible learning tool
  which complements real life experience

4
Training Sessions

• Target audience - inexperienced regulators with
  about 0 - 9 months experience
• Sessions should take place in a quiet area with a
  suitably equipped PC
• last about I .5 hrs including debrief
• there are 3 scenarios and an option for trainers
  to produce customise-able scenarios
• trainees will get feedback form experienced
  officer
• trainees performance data is stored on a database
  

5
Benefits of VR approach I

• Safe environment in which to make mistakes
• practise skills without exposing the Agency to
  criticism
• less time spent by experienced officers on
  teaching basics
• develop more consistent approach to inspections
• increase quality of inspections

6
Benefits of VR approach II

• Cost effective - an hour of VR training can cover
  more than 1/2 day in a training room
• flexibility - programme can be adjusted to suit
  training needs of the individual
• coaching tool for Team Leaders
• scope for development - the site has been
  designed with future development in mind
• accessibility - easy to use/portable
• can provide feedback on performance

7
and principles..

• customisable
• run on a standard PC
• easy to operate
• linked to reporting system (database)
• scoring
• site can be developed for future use

8
Virtual Waste Management Site
9
Site details

• HCI waste landfill
• no special wastes but difficult wastes and
  sludges
• 2 phases - 1 just completed , the other under
  construction
• Waste Transfer Station accepting HCI waste
• site licence and working plan
• site history

10
Landfill
11
Transfer Station
12
Site Manager
13
How the VR training plugs into Agency framework
14
more reasons...

• compliments reality
• memorable
• innovative
• broader implications

15
The future

• The virtual waste management site has been
  designed with future development in mind-
• site monitoring
• leachate treatment
• site engineering
• beginners to intermediate?
• PPC