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SMART Training Equals Smart Riding

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080205-10
Release Date: 2/5/2008 12:57:00 PM

By April Phillips, Naval Safety Center Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- There's a mantra in the Navy and Marine Corps that says "Train like you fight."

It means conducting a general quarters drill as close as possible to an actual shipboard emergency or launching an aircraft from a flight deck the same way in training as when loaded with live ammunition. This same philosophy applies to off-duty activities as well.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) recently visited ships in Norfolk, with the Safe Motorcyclist Awareness and Recognition Trainer (SMART), a new tool to help motorcycle riders react to a number of dangerous scenarios they will encounter when they're out in traffic.

The machine is basically a high-tech video game, with handlebars and controls just like those on a real motorcycle. "Riders" look at a screen depicting likely roadway scenarios, and their actions at the controls affect what occurs on screen.

The SMART, manufactured by Honda, is not exactly a simulator, explained Al Hydeman of MSF.

"It doesn't lean like a motorcycle does. We can't teach riders how to counter-steer or operate their bikes. That's what the Rider Courses are for, and they do a great job of teaching people how to ride safely in a parking lot or other controlled environments. The benefit of this is that it takes them into traffic," said Hydeman.

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Kevin Jordan has been in the Navy just over two years. He's stationed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and recently had the chance to try out the SMART when Hydeman and the Naval Safety Center took the trainer aboard the carrier.

"It makes you think and puts you through scenarios such as pedestrian crossings and vehicles that don't see you coming," he said.

Jordan has been riding his Kawasaki ZZR 600 sport bike for about a year-and-a-half. He's one of many military riders who bought their bikes without any prior training.

"When I bought my bike, it was the first time I'd ever even been on a motorcycle or a dirt bike, or anything like that," he said.

He believes the SMART would be beneficial to Sailors and Marines before they make the decision to purchase a bike.

"It helps you with your thought process and muscle memory and getting used to the feel of the controls. At first, it can be overwhelming, even without the traffic," Hydeman added.

Hydeman understands this, and said it's better to be overwhelmed at the controls of a video monitor than on real roads, at real speeds.

"A lot of people say, 'I hope I don't crash' when they use SMART. I say, 'I hope you do crash' because that's how you learn and here the only thing that really crashes is the ego," Hydeman said.

He went through a test ride with Aviation Ordnance Airman Mark Gentle, another George Washington Sailor. After Gentle completed his first ride on the SMART, Hydeman was able to go back through it with him, replaying all the dangerous scenarios that occurred.

Hydeman said that one benefit of SMART is that it allows you to change perspectives when it's switched into coaching mode.

In one scenario where a car pulled out directly in front of the motorcycle, Gentle was able to realize that the motorist couldn't see him. This is important, because part of the danger of motorcycles is that they're far less visible than cars and defensive driving is that much more important for two-wheeled riders.

After the user completes his initial ride on SMART, the coach gets a printout of what happened, so he or she can tell how fast the motorcyclist was going, whether their stops were smooth or abrupt, whether the turn signal was used, and many other important aspects of safe riding.

"Using the coach controls, we can show him how to maneuver more safely and then design a second, more challenging ride, based on his needs."

Gentle scored an overall "A" on his ride, performing very well. He's been riding for four years, but said he still learned something important from using SMART.

"You can't assume anything out there on the road. This is good for raising awareness," said Gentle.

Each Honda SMART costs about $5,000 and the Naval Safety Center is considering purchasing several to use during safety fairs and standdowns throughout the fleet.

For more news from the Naval Safety Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsc/.