In the first year, more than 1,000 drivers are expected to complete their training in over 170 sessions. Coca-Cola FEMSA, Solistica and Kenworth launched their first traveling training unit powered by APEX simulators.
IN THE FIRST YEAR, MORE THAN 1,000 DRIVERS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THEIR TRAINING IN MORE THAN 170 SESSIONS.
Coca-Cola FEMSA, Solistica and truck and tractor-trailer manufacturer Kenworth launched their first traveling training unit. To drive the professionalization of their drivers and reinforce their road safety strategy under a zero-accident premise, they are deploying a system built on state-of-the-art driving simulators.
MOBILE SIMULATION TRAINING UNIT.
The traveling unit is an end-to-end solution that adds to the companies' driver training strategies, reinforcing continuous training and certification.
Its primary goal is to improve safety indicators, reduce accident risk, build awareness around fuel-efficient driving and, overall, sharpen the skills of freight drivers.
The simulator — built around Kenworth's T880 and T800 models — recreates real situations with risk factors so drivers can develop the skills to prevent them, including:
- Consequences of cell phone use
- Driver fatigue
- Driving in rain, fog, ice or oil; accidents, blowouts and mechanical failures
- Yielding to pedestrians and cyclists
- Passing maneuvers
- Preventing lane departures
- Being cut off in traffic and collisions with fixed objects.
TRAINING FOR PRIMARY DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS.
In its first stage, the traveling simulation unit will focus on training Coca-Cola FEMSA's primary distribution teams, known as "T1". Within the first year, the plan is to certify more than 1,000 drivers with this technology across more than 170 sessions, with the unit traveling 2,600 kilometers through 10 strategic locations.
The traveling simulation unit is aimed at making our roads ever safer, under a zero-accident vision. Through this training, our drivers face risk situations they would rarely experience in real life, developing skills and composure for moments of crisis. Our team is committed to the safety of our people and the communities where we operate — we want everyone who sees a Coca-Cola FEMSA double trailer on the highway to feel confident that its driver received the best training available.
Marco ÁvilaLogistics Director, Coca-Cola FEMSA México
With the simulator, it's possible to recreate real accidents from daily operations to show drivers how the event could have been prevented — detecting and correcting weaknesses behind the wheel and raising safety to the highest level.
Jose Miguel MontoyaChief Commercial Officer, APEX Simulation & TechnologyThe simulator, developed by APEX — the leader in simulation solutions for driver training — is equipped with a three-degree-of-freedom motion platform that replicates the G-forces of acceleration, braking and cornering, so the operator experiences the simulated accident and understands the consequences of decisions made on the road.
At Kenworth we are convinced that adopting state-of-the-art technology focused on efficiency and safety brings benefits that make our customers' distribution work easier. We know that with tools like these, Coca-Cola FEMSA and Solistica will strengthen their safety strategy — for their people and for the operating environment of their units.
Ing. Tonathiu VenegasSales Director, Kenworth
POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT
For his part, Luis Fernando Reyes, Commercial Director of Kenworth Mexicana, highlighted the social impact of projects like the mobile training unit: these are the initiatives that professionalize the trucking industry, ensuring Kenworth's investments in design, manufacturing and vehicle support are fully leveraged by drivers, fleet managers, owners and companies of the caliber of Coca-Cola FEMSA and Solistica.
CLOUD INDICATORS AND TELEMETRY
The simulator includes cloud-based software with advanced reporting and telemetry that builds a comparison matrix and ranks drivers by operator type. Evaluations can be accessed in real time from headquarters, and biometric (fingerprint) sign-in prevents identity fraud by trainees and instructors.
Coca-Cola FEMSA México currently operates 21 bottling plants, 143 distribution centers and 869,000 points of sale across 14 states. For 9 consecutive years, the company has received SEMARNAT's "Clean Transportation" recognition, and it was validated as the first Mexican company — and third in Latin America — to earn approval from the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), in line with its environmental commitment.
Taking part in initiatives and projects like this is tremendously important — it reaffirms our commitment to always pursue the safety of our people and the communities we belong to. I'm confident this initiative will help us keep improving our performance and support the development of everyone at Solistica.
Jessica Ponce de LeónDirector of Global Transportation Solutions, Solistica.
