NEWS
Fulton Hogan uses virtual reality training CIVIL ENGINEERING AND RESOURCE COMPANY Fulton Hogan is pioneering the use of virtual reality (VR) to train employees how to deal with potentially dangerous situations, in a safe environment. Using VR, employees are taught how to decontaminate bitumen sprayers and tankers when water has become present – potentially creating a “boilover effect, where bitumen can be sprayed with considerable force over a wide area, putting people’s safety at risk.” Now a new app developed by Fulton Hogan with Corvecto, allows employees to perform the “boil over” decontamination procedure stepby-step using VR – seeing the potentially harmful consequences of any mistakes, while in a safe environment. Fulton Hogan innovation manager Chloe Smith says that VR not only eliminates the risks of training in a “live” situation – it has also improved engagement during training, helping team members to retain crucial knowledge: “Trainees don VR goggles as well as headphones, which makes the simulation highly immersive. “You actually feel like you’re standing on top of the tank, looking down from a height. Along with this the sound effects are so realistic you really do feel like you are physically present in the scenario.” The risk factors are outlined clearly at the start of the training and when mistakes are made, trainees are virtually transported to a room where a screen outlines the errors they made and the steps they should have taken. They’re then able to repeat the task and, with the knowledge of their previous mistakes, improve their performance. Trainees are tracked throughout the process, recording all the decisions that were made, and how long they spent completing each task. This data is added to their training records for future reference. “Our experience with VR for the ‘boil over’ training confirms what we’ve already learnt from our significant investment in virtual driver training – that our team members relate to the gamification of the technical learning and really get into it with an enthusiasm that’s sometimes not there with traditional classroom training,” Smith says. Fulton Hogan, which has over 3000 vehicles, in 2015 purchased two state-of-the-art simulators capable of re-creating a range of NZ driving conditions, including night operation, unexpected road obstructions, wind,
Fulton Hogan’s GM engineering and technical services Alan Peacock demonstrates the VR headset rain, fog and snow. The simulators are transported around the country so that the company’s 3800 NZ employees, as well as school students and community partners, can broaden their onroad skills. The company is now exploring the use of VR technology in other operational areas. T&D
One millionth Pete a giveaway PETERBILT IS GOING TO CELEBRATE the completion of its one millionth truck in spectacular style – by giving it away to a lucky North American fan of the make. The truck – a Model 567 Heritage, fully customised to mark the milestone – is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in January and will be given to “the ultimate Peterbilt fan” at the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS) in March. Kenworth’s sister-company has been running a promotional campaign to find its Peterbilt 12 | Truck & Driver
SuperFan for months in the United States and Canada. Peterbilt Motor Company general manager Kyle Quinn says: “The Peterbilt brand is built on loyalty – it’s the lifeblood of our business. We want to reward that loyalty and the one millionth truck milestone will be the perfect opportunity.” Quinn says that, “since the early days of production in 1939, Peterbilt has been the preferred brand of drivers and owner operators,
built on a reputation of unrivalled quality and customer value.” Fans have been asked to send stories, photos and videos telling of their love for Peterbilt – providing them “with a platform to individually express the role that the brand has played in their lives.” The best of them will be narrowed down to five SuperFan finalists, who will be invited to MATS…where the lucky winner will be handed the keys. T&D