Rand McNally's Transportation Data Management subsidiary has introduced a new truck driver training course
called Understanding and Interpreting Maps: A Short Course Using the Motor Carriers' Road Atlas and RouteTools Software.
With a long history of expertise in educational curriculum development, Rand McNally has designed a new easy-to-follow mapping and routing course to teach a thorough understanding of map reading and interpretation skills for both paper and electronic formats.
The Commercial Vehicle Training Assn. (CVTA) contributed to the development of the comprehensive course. The course contains several modules designed to teach new truck drivers components of paper and electronic map reading, helping them plan routes and calculate distances. The course includes review questions and exercises to help students put the information into context.
"We feel that it is essential for drivers to be trained to the industry standard," said Mike O'Connell, executive director of CVTA. "Since CVTA's members train more than 40,000 entry-level drivers per year, we know that the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas is the most widely used mapping product for the commercial vehicle industry. This curriculum will provide a valuable addition to the training in our 56 member schools, which operate 160 driver training sites across the United States, including Alaska."
The course covers:
-- Understanding and using information in the Motor Carriers' Road Atlas
-- Differentiating between a variety of map types, and identifying and utilizing mapping symbols and information
-- Using the Motor Carriers' Road Atlas maps for basic navigation and interpreting non-road information
-- Applying Earth locations and map scale
-- Calculating truck-drive distances using various routing methods
-- Generating routes and calculating mileage using routing software, including estimating arrival times, creating fuel networks, calculating state mileage and routing for truck type
"This new mapping and routing curriculum gives new truck drivers the skills needed to safely and effectively route their vehicles on our nation's highways," said Bob Simmons, general manager of Rand McNally's transportation data management subsidiary.
Schools can order the curriculum by calling (877) 204-1020.