Stepping into Simulator Training, Fleet Owner Magazine, May 10th 2017 by Sean Kilcarr
Stepping into simulator training. Virage Simulation demonstrates how simulators help drivers sharpen their driving skills at the Truckload Carrier Association (TCA) annual convention in Nashville, TN
The VS600M truck simulation system offered by Virage Simulation is modeled on a standard truck cab and consists of a fully functional pneumatic driver seat with all typical controls, a seat belt, pedals and a fully adjustable (height and tilt) steering column with integrated flashers and trailer hand brake. It can be configured with an automatic or manual transmission, offering from four to 18 manually gears. At the annual Truckload Carrier Association (TCA) meeting this year, Virage demonstrated how simulators help drivers sharpen their backing-up skills. (Photo: Sean Kilcarr/Fleet Owner)
Military vehicle simulator systems, however, add in other elements aside from just driving parameters. Here U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 22 (CLB) within the 2nd Marine Logistics Group spend some time in the Combat Convoy Simulator (CCS) at Camp Lejeune, N.C., prepare for convoy operations in hostile territory. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anthony Quintanilla)
Both the commercial trucking industry and the U.S. military are stepping up their use of simulator systems to beef up training programs for a variety of driver-related duties. In trucking, simulators help sharpen specific skills needed for handling foul-weather conditions, such as snow, as well as backing-up maneuvers. In the military, drivers and their crews use full-scale simulators not only to improve their vehicle handling abilities but sharpen their combat skills as well.
