Virtual Driver Interactive, Inc. (VDI), provider of simulation-based driver training solutions for fleets is expanding their product portfolio by launching Advanced Driver Safety (ADS), the latest in a series of simulation training courses designed to challenge experienced drivers.

Focused on reducing accidents per million miles, ADS teaches collision avoidance techniques and provides validation to both drivers and organizations on the ability to utilize those techniques in real world situations, according to the company. The new driver safety training course is designed for corporate safety departments to use in new-hire assessment, fleet training, refresher courses, and driver intervention/correction.

A key element of the ADS program for fleets is vehicle-specific training mimicking an employee’s actual driving experience on the job including vans, SUVs, pickups, delivery trucks, passenger vehicles, and others.

The Nestlé Waters fleet partnered with Virtual Driver Interactive to participate in a driver safety pilot program in October, according to the company. As a result, Nestlé Waters will be moving forward with the purchase of simulators equipped with VDI's Advanced Driver Safety software designed to reduce accident rates and improve driver safety performance at key distribution sites in the Northeast.

Other organizations utilizing VDI’s simulation-based safety programs include the USPS, PSE&G, GE Oil & Gas, ConEd, Ameren, National Grid and more.

ADS consists of a core curriculum of 10 lessons, a pre and post assessment, and open-world drives for custom lessons or additional practice. The learning experience that includes familiar road environments, weather conditions, and autonomous traffic. The distracted driving lesson includes drowsy driving, phone calls, texting, music selection as well as web surfing. The intelligent pedestrian system also provides more interactions and distractions for the driver as well.

ADS includes Vantage, a complete driver management tool, which allows an administrator of the Advanced Driver Safety course to track the progress and performance of each driver. Vantage reports, in real-time, a driver’s assessment, performance, lesson progress and violations, according to the company. Driving violations such as rolling stops, lane departures, speeding, and more are measured.

ADS customers can choose to have their employees go through the program at their training centers/schools using either a full-size simulator with the realistic feel of a car or in the field by using the portable desktop simulator.