Background
State DOTs face significant safety risks during road construction and maintenance, especially under hazardous conditions such as black ice, high‑speed traffic, and low visibility. Current training methods do not provide the immersive, realistic experience needed to fully prepare workers for these dangers. Because the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) training for DOT operations is not yet well understood, it is important to evaluate whether VR can meaningfully enhance worker safety, what resources would be required, and which scenarios would benefit most before committing to a major investment.
Research
By studying the feasibility of VR training, state highway agencies can make informed decisions about future training programs, reduce unnecessary costs, and ensure technology is applied where it delivers the greatest safety impact. If successful, VR training could improve hazard awareness, reduce accidents, and enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of workforce development—ultimately contributing to safer, more reliable transportation operations across state highway agencies.