Simulator Training for Commercial Drivers Comes to WMCC
Drivers (and want-to-be drivers) of commercial vehicles take note! White Mountains Community College is now operating a mobile state-of-the-art simulation training unit for drivers of all commercial vehicles, including delivery vehicles, municipal trucks, snow plows, fire trucks, and both Class A and B vehicles. This state-of-the-art simulator is housed in a self-contained, mobile classroom, which allows training to be delivered at worksites throughout northern New England. Trainees can experience a wide range of vehicle profiles, with hundreds of combinations of tractors, trailers, engines and transmissions from which to choose. This range allows for training that matches specific client vehicle configurations and thus heightens training objectives.
National research has shown that brief and focused simulator training yields annual fuel savings of 5% or better, as well as a 50% reduction in preventable accidents, even with experienced drivers. Simulation training also provides a safe environment for situational response and avoidance techniques. One hour of simulated training can equate to 3 to 4 hours of on the road experience.
In addition to CDL-A and CDL-B license holders, the simulator is configured to train fire truck, snowplow, delivery, and other municipal drivers. WMCC's simulated fleet includes snowplows, fire trucks, delivery vehicles, single and tandem axle tractors, vans, flatbeds, tanks, trailers (loaded or empty) and double and triple trailers. The skid pad software, fully configurable scenarios, as well as operator control over weather, road conditions and road types provide countless opportunities to safely target training where and how it is needed. The built-in replay studio provides an opportunity to see what a driver does in real time in response to changing circumstances on the road.
In addition to customized training available to experienced drivers, White Mountains Community College offers a variety of professional driver training courses that focus on both classroom work and in-the-vehicle training time. After over-the-road experience with professional, experienced instructors, plus lab and range time, participants master the complete range of driver competencies and become safe, comfortable, confident, law-abiding drivers.
To receive more information on the simulator, or to reserve time for yourself or your staff, contact Paul Mundell, Commercial Driving Instructor, White Mountains Community College at 603-752-1113 ext. 3095 or e- mail pmundell@ccsnh.edu.
The contents of this article were developed under a Congressionally-directed grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Back to News List8/9/2010
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