While the US still is producing plenty of food and other goods, the process of delivering supplies to consumers has been affected by the coronavirus crisis, and experts warn labor problems, and especially a growing shortage of truck drivers, could pose a serious threat to the food supply chain.
“We need to train more drivers as quickly as possible,” said John Kearney, CEO of Advanced Training Systems (ATS), a designer and manufacturer of virtual simulators for driver training and other applications.
Talk about a national shortage of truckers, particularly among long-haul drivers, isn’t new, but Kearney says the coronavirus outbreak has worsened the situation in recent months. To help alleviate the situation, ATS is providing its Pre-Trip Training and Evaluation Software App at no charge for 90 days, for customers and the entire national community of commercial driver training institutions.
Before hitting the road, new drivers must pass a test to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The specifics vary by state, but generally the process includes a pre-trip inspection checklist, basic control skills exam and road skills test, with the pre-trip inspection checklist demanding the most detailed knowledge, Kearney said. This test component requires prospective drivers to evaluate the condition and roadworthiness of the rig’s engine compartment, driver door fuel area, coupling area, trailer, light, cab and brakes.
The engine compartment inspection alone covers 28 different items.
The pre-trip inspection checklist traditionally is taught in a classroom, followed by a closely gathered group around the truck—an approach that is not possible at the moment due to the pandemic. In response, ATS launched the CDL Pre-Trip Inspection App, which can be delivered to students’ smartphones or tablets, enabling them to study from anywhere. The challenges presented by COVID-19 led ATS to make the decision to provide the app for free to the company’s own simulator customers, as well as the Commercial Vehicle Training Association and the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools.
“There is a significant startup cost associated with new applications, but we feel it is critical at this time in history to ensure its widespread availability,” Kearney said. “This will enable students to study at their own pace in solitary locations, online, and safe from the spread of the virus—and give them the knowledge needed to pass the CDL exam and become a thoroughly trained and safety-conscious driver.”
