AUTO-SHIFT APPLICATION PILOT (ASaP) CONTROL SYSTEM: AN INNOVATION PROJECT FOR A STUDENT DRIVER FRIENDLY AND SAFER DRIVING VEHICLE

Abstract

The facilitation of effective driving lessons is the preoccupation of every Technical Vocational Education (TVE) institution offering a driving competency program. It is observed that with one steering wheel driving unit, the driving lessons are delayed since both student driver and driving instructor will take turns positioning in the same steering wheel during demonstration and application of driving competencies. Likewise, the safety of both student driver and driving instructor is at stake since the driver instructor’s control of the student driver’s manipulation of the steering wheel and pedals is done only through verbal instruction. This development study aimed to innovate an Auto-Shift Application Pilot (ASaP) control system for a driver student-friendly and a safer driving vehicle. ASaP controls the functioning of the two sets of steering wheels and two sets of pedals, respectively, for the student driver and driving instructor to facilitate teaching-learning of car driving competencies. Using quantitative and qualitative descriptive design, test and evaluation of the functionality and aesthetic design of ASaP control system were conducted to 5 driver instructors and 15 student driver respondents. Results showed that ASaP control system is functional in its set-up and needs enhancement in its aesthetic design. It is recommended that this ASaP control system be installed in a manually transmitted school driving vehicle for a student driver-friendly and safer school driving lessons.