6. West Virginia 6-week bioptic driving program and Driver Performance Measure test

Picture of outside West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles Regional Office

Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) test

The student is introduced to the DPM in Week 5 of the program.

The DPM tool provides a reliable criterion valid method of measuring dynamic behaviour patterns in actual traffic. The intellectual property is owned by Michigan State University (MSU) (by (Forbes et al, 1975) whom under contract work with other parties to develop a DPM driving route with accompanied manuals and staff training. The DPM was originally developed for use to train and assess emergency services/ first responders and commercial drivers. In 1985 this was done for the first time ever in the world for bioptic drivers and in West Virginia. In the early 1990s MSU contracted with Canada’s driving licence authority to develop a DPM route for their bioptic drivers.

To develop the DPM route for a contracted party, MSU trained engineers visit the organisation to select ‘test segments’ to combine for an onroad test assessment route. As an example the WV DPM has 9 test segments over 40 miles that runs for about 80 minutes. The Canada DPM is slightly longer as the topography is more spread out so took more distance between required test segments. The DPM allows specially trained assessors to observe and rate driver behaviour in relation to changing traffic situation in carefully selected and described locations in traffic conditions. 

 

Chuck drove me through the DPM route developed for WV and I was impressed! It is standardised and fair for everyone and yet each time the route is driven the dynamic environment changes and that is the key to measuring driver safety. This is a tool we need in Australia to rate, assess, and compare our bioptic drivers. If they cannot pass the DPM, they cannot go for the DMV test and therefore get their driver’s licence.

 

In doing the DPM route 1985 through to 2022 the three challenging parts to performance of visually impaired students are very similar to those for professional drivers from research done by MSU are:

·       Tasks of the more simpler driving task (DPM has both mundane everyday to challenging tasks). Most errors are failure to check direction opposite of a left hand turn (for Australia that would be a right hand turn).

·       Making timely lane change within a defined period of space with parked cars on either side, making two lane changes and then a separate left turn. This an area of 40 miles per hour but most drives would inadvertently go through at 55 miles per hour.

·       At the end of the route. Consistent with research when a person comes back after vacation or a long drive, it is the last 5-10 miles home people let their guard down. People especially fail to scan intersections adequately. When they do the DPM the evaluators have fixation mirrors to see the student’s eye movement.

 

Here are a couple of videos showing driving, they are not all the DPM segments and may or may not contain the DPM segments, but it is in the route.

 

1.DPM weave lane off

2.DPM weave lane on

3.DPM flagger

4. DPM scan

There has been research into the use of the DPM for road safety driving behaviour. A 1995 study in showed “…police officers to provide evidence that cognitive-behavioural observations of driving patterns can lead to predictions of subsequent accident involvement. Results indicate that after controlling for age and experience, scores on the DPM test predicted involvement in preventable accidents but not unpreventable accidents.”

Gully SM, Whitney DJ, Vanosdall FE. Prediction of police officers' traffic accident involvement using behavioral observations. Accid Anal Prev. 1995 Jun;27(3):355-62. doi: 10.1016/0001-4575(94)00072-t. PMID: 7639919.

 

 

 

 

Six Week Bioptic Driving Program Course Curriculum 

 

Click on this link below to see the complete 6-week program offer at West Virginia including definitions of the below terms and vendors for the videos of classroom training. You can see that the student attends classes 9am to 3pm 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Each day the student gets concurrent training of classroom, passenger in car and then behind the wheel. At the same link you will find other resources including the program offered when a bioptic driver wants to apply for night time driving privileges. And program safeguards.

 

Link to full document: https://www.biopticdriversaus.com/papers

 

In another blog we will explore Bioptics Training (hands-on, on-foot outdoor parking lot lesson) that is again followed by passenger in car and then behind the wheel. Notice this bioptic training is introduced in detail on Monday of Week 2. This is because at least 95% of the bioptic drivers driving is done using the carrier lens and the student need to learn when and how to use it after they have been exposed to driving. Remember, these new drivers have been told their whole life they will never drive so have never been exposed by parents/ others/ school that one day they might do this and to pay attention to the road.

 

 

WEEK NO. 1

 

Monday

 

CLSRM -           New Student Orientation (staff introductions, class schedule, course outline, tour) 

-                A Better Way - Smith System Introduction (DVD-S)

-                Signs, Signals & Markings (DVD-AAA)

-                In and Out of Turns (DVD-D)

PIC       -            Golf Mtn. – Rock Branch Route

-                Rock Branch – Golf Mtn. Route 

BTW     -            Vehicle Familiarization (in-car demo.)

-                Nitro/Institute Route 

SS        -            Using Your Eyes effectively (DVD-AAA)

-                Starting Right (DVD-D)

 

Tuesday

                                  

CLSRM -           Visual Fields, Mirror Usage and Blind Spot Checks (lecture, demo. in-car)

-                Intersections – One of the Most Dangerous Places on Earth (DVD-S)

PIC       -            Dunbar – North & South side of RXR Route

-                Dunbar – North Charleston Route

BTW     -            Dunbar – North & South side of RXR Route

-                Golf Mtn. – Rock Branch Route

-                Rock Branch – Golf Mtn. Route

SS        -            Defensive Driving (DVD-N)

-                NSC Defensive Driving Course

-                Intersections (DVD-D)

 

Wednesday

        

CLSRM -           Following Distance: Resolving the Debate (DVD-S)

PIC       -            St. Albans (5^th & 6^th Avenues) Route

-                Spring Hill–Residential Area Route

BTW     -            St. Albans (5^th & 6^th Avenues) Route

-                Spring Hill–Residential Area Route

SS        -            NSC Defensive Driving Course  

-                Judging Safe Following Distance & Watching Out (V-C)

 

Thursday

 

CLSRM -           Outside the Box – Space, Visibility & Time (DVD-S) 

PIC       -            Joe Holland Chevy Route

             -            North Charleston – West Charleston (Lee Street) Route    

BTW    -            Joe Holland Chevy Route

-                North Charleston – West Charleston (Lee Street) Route    

SS        -            Intersections (V-C), Searching Intersections (V-M)

 

Friday

 

CLSRM -           Reversing the Trend: Preventing Backing Collisions (DVD-S)

-                Space Cushions (DVD-D)

PIC       -            Spring Hill – St. Albans (Kanawha Terrace) Route

-                St. Albans (Kanawha Terrace) – Spring Hill Route  

BTW     -            Spring Hill – St. Albans (Kanawha Terrace) Route

-                St. Albans (Kanawha Terrace) – Spring Hill Route  

SS         -           The Little Things (V-F)

 

 

WEEK NO. 2

 

Monday

 

CLSRM -          Bioptics Training (hands-on, on-foot outdoor parking lot lesson)

PIC        -          S.R 817N – I - 64W - S.R. 35N Route

BTW     -           S.R.62N - S.R.34S - S.R. 817S- S.R.60E Route      

 

Tuesday

 

CLSRM -           Managing Space and Time for Safe Driving (DVD-AAA)    

PIC       -            S.R.60 West – S.R.817 North – S.R.34 South – S.R.60 East Route

-                S.R.60 East and West (traffic lights)

BTW     -            S.R.60 West – S.R.817 North – S.R.34 South – S.R.60 East Route

-                S.R.60 East and West (traffic lights)

SS        -            Separate and Stabilize (DVD-D)

 

Wednesday

 

CLSRM -           Detecting Critical Information (DVD-D)

-                Avoiding Collision Traps (DVD-D)

PIC       -            West Charleston – Florida Avenue Route

-                West Charleston – Charleston (Virginia & Greenbrier) Route

BTW     -            West Charleston – Florida Avenue Route

-                West Charleston – Charleston (Virginia & Greenbrier) Route

SS        -            On the Streets - Visual Habits and Driving in City Traffic (V-F)

 

Thursday  

 

CLSRM -           Communications (DVD-D) 

-                The Keys to Safe Lane Changing and Merging (DVD-S)

PIC       -            Kanawha City Route (Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations)

-                Dunbar - Fairlawn Avenue Route (Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations)

BTW     -            Kanawha City Route (Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations)

-                Dunbar - Fairlawn Avenue Route (Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations)

SS        -            Following Time and Space (V-M)

                              

Friday

 

CLSRM -           High Risk Situations (DVD-D) 

             -            Good Driving Strategies (DVD-D)      

PIC       -            South Charleston - North Charleston (Patrick St. Bridge) Route

             -            North Charleston (Patrick St. Bridge) – South Charleston Route

BTW     -            South Charleston - North Charleston (Patrick St. Bridge) Route

             -            North Charleston (Patrick St. Bridge) – South Charleston Route

SS        -            Driver Awareness (V-M)

 

 

WEEK NO. 3

 

Monday

 

CLSRM -           Dangerous Crossings: A Second Thought (DVD-AAA)

-                Look to Live, It’s Your Choice, Final Answer (DVD-E)

PIC       -            Dunbar & South Charleston Railroad Crossings

-                Cross Lanes (Rocky Fork Road) – Sissonville Route

BTW     -            Dunbar – South Charleston Railroad Crossings

-                Cross Lanes (Rocky Fork Road) – Sissonville Route

SS        -            Anytime is Train Time (V-L)

            -             Where Do the Children Go (V- H)

 

Tuesday

 

CLSRM -           Rural Roadways (DVD-D)

PIC       -            Buffalo Route (S.R.25 W - S.R.62 N – S.R.817 N – S.R.34 S – S.R.35 S)

BTW     -            Buffalo Route (S.R.25 W - S.R.62 N – S.R.817 N – S.R.34 – S.R.35 S)

SS        -            Fatigue (V-C)

 

Wednesday

 

CLSRM-            Driver’s E.D.G.E. – Emotions and Driving (DVD- S)

PIC       -            Point Pleasant Route (S.R.25 W – S.R.62 N – S.R.35 S)

BTW     -            Point Pleasant Route (S.R.25 W – S.R.62 N – S.R.35 S)

SS         -           Prevent Road Rage: Anger Management for the Driver (DVD-AAA)

 

Thursday

 

CLSRM-            Getting Safely Past the Orange Barrels (DVD-AAA)

             -            Freeway Driving (DVD-AAA)

PIC       -            Interstate 64 West & East Route, Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations, (St.  

                          Albans-Barboursville)

BTW     -            Interstate 64 West & East Route, Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations

                          (St. Albans-Barboursville)

SS        -            Getting Along with the Big Trucks (V-C)

 

Friday

 

CLSRM -           Interstate Driving (DVD-D)

PIC       -            Interstate 64 East & West Route, Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations

                          (Nitro-Oakwood)                  

-                Interstate 64 East & West Route, Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations

(Virginia St. East - Greenbrier St.)

-                Interstate 77 & 79 N & S, Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations (Left to Right)   

BTW     -            Interstate 64 East & West Route, Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations

                          (Nitro-Oakwood)        

-                Interstate 64 East & West Route, Entering and Leaving Traffic Formations,

(Virginia St. East - Greenbrier St.)

 

 

WEEK NO. 4

 

Monday

 

CLSRM -           Limited Access Highways (DVD-D)

PIC       -            Interstate 64 West & East Route, Directional signs, (Nitro-Barboursville)

BTW     -            Interstate 64 West & East Route, Directional signs (St. Albans -Barboursville)

SS        -            Freeways (V-C)

 

Tuesday

 

CLSRM -           Vans: Reducing the Risk (DVD-D)

PIC        -           Interstate 64 East & West Route, Directional signs (Nitro-Oakwood)                  

-                Interstate 64 East & West Route, Directional signs (Virginia St. E.- Greenbrier St.   

BTW     -            Interstate 64 East & West Route Directional signs (Nitro-Oakwood)        

-                Interstate 64 East & West Route, Directional signs (Virginia St. East through Greenbrier St.)

    

Wednesday

 

CLSRM -           Crash Avoidance II (DVD-D)

PIC       -            Interstate 64 West – S.R. 35 North Route 

-                S.R. 60 West & East (St. Albans – Hurricane) Route

BTW     -            Interstate 64 West – S.R. 35 North Route 

-                S.R. 60 West & East (St. Albans – Hurricane) Route

SS         -          Sharing The Road (DVD-AAA)  

 

Thursday

 

CLSRM -           Crash Avoidance III (DVD-D)

-                Unlocking the Mystery of Anti-Lock Brakes (DVD-AAA)  

PIC       -            Smith Creek Road – St. Albans 

BTW     -            Smith Creek Road – St. Albans 

SS         -           Steps To Take at an Accident (V-C)           

 

Friday

 

CLSRM -           The Ultimate Driving Challenge (V-GM)    

PIC       -            Interstate 64 East – S.R.119 South (Corridor G) 

BTW     -            Interstate 64 East – S.R.119 South (Corridor G)

SS        -            It’s a Matter of Attitude (V-F)

-                Vehicle and Personal Security (V-AAA)     

 

 

WEEK NO. 5

 

Monday

 

CLSRM-            Cars, Motorcycles and a Common Road (DVD-MSF)

CLSRM -           Introduction to Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Assessment Process

PIC       -            Preview – Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Test Route

BTW     -            Preview – Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Test Route

SS        -            Read & study 15-page “Sharing the Roadway: Motor & Motorcyclists in Traffic”  

                          Pamphlet - MSF   

 

Tuesday

 

CLSRM -          Destination Driving (DVD-D)     

PIC       -           GPS Experience

PIC       -           Preview – Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Test Route

BTW     -           Preview – Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Test Route

SS        -           When the Pavement’s Slick: Driving in Inclement Weather (V-F)

            -            Driving Under Adverse Weather Conditions (FV-C)

  

Wednesday

 

CLSRM -           Breaking the Accident Chain of Events (DVD-AAA)

-                Unlocking the Mystery of Anti-Lock Brakes (DVD-AAA)     

PIC       -           Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Assessment (mock-up)

-                Feedback and Review (mock-up results)

-                Review in-car areas needing remediation from mock-up DPM Assessment 

BTW     -            Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Assessment (mock-up)

-                Feedback and Review (mock-up results)

-                Review in-car areas needing remediation from mock-up DPM Assessment 

 

Thursday

 

CLSRM -           Playing with a Full Deck: Driving Distractions (DVD-S)              

-                Texting and Phone Usage (DVD)

-                WVDMV Brochure on Drunk Driving   

PIC       -            Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Assessment No. 1

-                Feedback and Review (DPM No. 1 Results)

-                Review in-car areas needing remediation from DPM Assessment No. 1

BTW     -            Driver Performance Measurement (DPM) Assessment No. 1

-                Feedback and Review (DPM No. 1 Results)

-                Review in-car areas needing remediation from DPM Assessment No. 1

 

Friday

 

CLSRM -           Foundations of Traffic Safety: Driver Education for Adult Drivers (DVD- 

                          AD, optional)

PIC        -           Preparation – DMV Commentary Drive Test

BTW     -            Preparation – DMV Maneuverability and On-Road Driving Test

 

 

WEEK NO. 6

 

Monday

 

CLSRM -           Handling Weather Conditions (DVD-D)

-                Driving in Bad Weather (DVD-AAA)

PIC        -           Preparation – DMV Commentary Drive Test

BTW     -            Preparation – DMV Maneuverability and On-Road Driving Test

SS        -            Driving Under the Influence –DUI (V-C)

 

Tuesday

 

CLSRM -          Turnabouts and Parking (DVD-D)

PIC        -          Preparation – DMV Commentary Drive Test

BTW      -          Preparation – DMV Maneuverability and On-Road Driving Test

SS         -          Reference Points (V-M)  

    

Wednesday

 

CLSRM -          Substance Abuse (V-C)

BTW     -           Division of Motor Vehicles Drive License Road Testing

SS        -           Taking Care of It - Preventive Maintenance (V-F) 

 

Thursday

 

CLSRM -          Night Driving (DVD-AAA)

-                Night Driving (V-C)

BTW     -           Division of Motor Vehicles Drive License Road Testing

SS        -           When the Sun Sets (V-F)

 

Friday

 

BTW    -            Division of Motor Vehicles Drive License Road Testing

 

 

 

 

Chuck is available for consultation so please reach out:

Chuck Huss, COMS

Driver Rehabilitation Specialist

 

Dunbar, WV 25064

TEL: (304) 767-1497 (cell)

E-MAIL: chuck_huss@hotmail.com (h)

 

To learn about the reasons for this blog, go to my Churchill Trust Australia webpage to read about the fellowship I was awarded being "The NRMA - ACT Road Safety Trust Churchill Fellowship to identify success factors and barriers for low vision and telescopic glasses driving" The page is here:  https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/belinda-oconnor-act-2022/