AbstractThe further reform and development of engineering education courses can help improve the teaching quality of higher education institutions, implement the fundamental task of talent cultivation, and provide important support and channels for cultivating high‐quality and supportive engineering technical talents. The traffic system simulation course is an applied science closely related to engineering technology. It mainly cultivates senior engineering technical talents engaged in research and development of transportation engineering, analysis of road traffic characteristics, and transportation planning and design. Considering the characteristics of the traffic system simulation course, this study puts forward the course teaching design based on computer virtual reality software. Combined with the training objectives of applied talents in the traffic system simulation course, this study focuses on how to reform the teaching content and teaching mode with the help of Vissim computer simulation software. The course teaching design refines and optimizes the teaching content by the use of computer software. The use of Vissim software in the course enriches the teaching content and methods and stimulates students' interest in learning. Through the guidance of active exploration and self‐directed learning for students, the traffic system simulation course reform has created a more positive and effective learning environment for students, which helps to cultivate their exploratory spirit and innovative ability. The implementation of the course teaching reform has gradually improved students' learning initiative and ability to master course content, as well as their practical problem‐solving abilities. Good teaching results have been achieved.