Truck simulator gives CBC students realistic experience behind the wheel
PASCO, Wash. — PASCO, Wash. - Students in Columbia Basin College's Commercial Driver’s License certification program can now hit the road without leaving the classroom.
In January the program installed a full motion truck simulator to give students a realistic take on what it's like to get behind the wheel.
Instructor Bud Stephens says the machine is practical since the Columbia River Basin is a hub for commercial driving jobs due to construction and the surrounding farm lands.
The simulator can put drivers on country roads or in the city, switch up the amount of traffic and change weather conditions.
While the program does do driving on the roads, Stephens says the students enjoy using the simulator in class since it gives them more experience behind the wheel. It also gives them a chance to make mistakes without putting anyone on the roads at risk.
“It doesn't make you an expert before you get on the road, but it certainly does give you a feel for what to do and how to approach certain situations and I believe it really lowers the risk in traffic for the public, as well as our students."
CBC spent $111,000 on the simulator. Columbia Distributing also donated $10,000 dollars to the purchase.
