Virtual Reality as a Training Tool for Utility Vehicle Operators in Smart Cities

The increasing complexity of urban mobility and infrastructure maintenance in smart cities necessitates the development of enhanced training methodologies for utility vehicle operators. This paper analyzes contemporary simulation techniques used in operator training, emphasizing the role of virtual reality (VR) in improving design evaluation, ergonomics assessment, and operator performance. We introduce a framework for integrating VR into the design evaluation process for next-generation utility vehicles within an immersive simulation environment. The presented approach incorporates objective metrics such as head and hand tracking and motion analysis, with subjective questionnaire-based feedback.