It doesn’t take much to realise that for trucking companies, under-skilled drivers can have a detrimental effect on their fleets and also the bottom line.

Pretoria-based company, 5DT is set to change all this with a unique trucking simulator, proudly developed right here in South Africa. At a demonstration held at the company’s Persequor Technopark head office yesterday, the full scope of the Advance Trucking Simulator was clear to see.

From a wide angle display of high resolution 4K monitors, surround sound audio and a force feedback steering wheel, to a six-axis motion base and cab that is an exact replica of the Freightliner Argosy (can be made to order), 5DT’s training simulator is clearly built to provide an immersive, life-like driving experience.

It is, however, the software that is the star of the show, with the trainer able to replicate different driving conditions (rain, night time driving, bad visibility), set the aggressiveness of traffic, or simulate specific emergency scenarios. Demonstrated in the training room where a burst tyre that resulted in a fire, also a jackknife incident, cows crossing the road, and a memorable brake failure that saw the driver having to manoeuvre into a sand trap.

These types of driving occurrences are simply impossible (or at least too costly) to be recreated in real-life, and it is here where 5DT’s truck driving simulator shows its worth. While one trainee is busy with the actual driving of the simulator, others can watch the classroom screen for a 3^rd person view of the experience, to rotate to the driving position once a scenario is completed. The simulation is controlled through a training station, which can record the session, also logging operator errors in order to create a report of the driver’s skills and progress.

According to Paul Olckers, CEO of 5DT, the simulator is set to help fleet companies when recruiting new candidates to see if they are actually up to scratch. It can further help with initial and advanced training, plus in the continued improvement of driver skills. To assist companies in achieving the latter, the simulator can interface with driver generated data from a fleet’s telematics system. This allows for targeted training, focussing on key areas, such as parking, defensive driving or economical driving habits, where improvement or skills development is needed.

5DT has received its first order for the Advanced Trucking Simulator from Eskom Rotek Industries (Roshcon), while also exhibiting recently at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky.