Journal of Information Technology in Construction
Journal of Information Technology in Construction
ITcon Vol. 31, pg. 507-537, http://www.itcon.org/2026/23
Enhancing safety-critical procedural training for battery energy storage systems using immersive virtual reality
| DOI: | 10.36680/j.itcon.2026.023 | |
| submitted: | November 2025 | |
| published: | April 2026 | |
| editor(s): | Amor R | |
| authors: | Xiaohui Wang, Graduate Research Assistant (corresponding author)
Dept. of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2880-6916 xxw56@psu.edu John I. Messner, Ph.D., Charles and Elinor Matts Professor Dept. of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7957-1628 jim101@psu.edu | |
| summary: | Safety training in high-risk industries often employs immersive technologies to raise risk awareness, yet this does not always translate into evidence-based effective safe practice. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are increasingly deployed across construction and energy infrastructure, but training personnel to operate and maintain them safely remains challenging due to high risks. Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) offers a promising solution by enabling realistic, hands-on practice of hazardous procedures in a controlled environment. This study addresses whether VR's immersive engagement translates into improved procedural learning outcomes for a safety-critical BESS soft-shutdown procedure. This is done by evaluating an immersive VR training module against conventional video-based instruction in a randomized experiment with 60 engineering students. Results show that VR training significantly improved spatial understanding of equipment layout (27% higher scores) and procedural comprehension (28% higher), while VR participants completed productive tasks 45% faster on average. Participants also rated VR as more engaging with greater learning confidence, though additional instructor guidance was often needed for navigation and interaction. However, a confidence-competence mismatch was observed with perceived abilities exceeding objective performance in some domains. This motivates embedded assessment and feedback. While both training methods supported similar recall of step sequences, neither adequately conveyed the underlying safety rationale behind the procedure. These findings suggest that while VR enhances certain learning outcomes through interactive, risk-free practice, it is not a standalone solution for full procedural mastery. Practical implications include design guidelines for VR training (e.g., explicit rationale cues and embedded assessments) and recommendations for integrating VR with construction safety programs to strengthen workforce readiness for emerging technologies in the built environment. | |
| keywords: | virtual reality training, construction safety training, battery energy storage systems (BESS), procedural learning, cognitive learning outcomes, psychomotor performance, near transfer | |
| full text: | (PDF file, 1.221 MB) | |
| citation: | Wang, X., & Messner, J. I. (2026). Enhancing safety-critical procedural training for battery energy storage systems using immersive virtual reality. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 31, 507-537. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2026.023 | |
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