UPS makes further investments into driving training-focused efforts

Earlier this week, Atlanta-based global freight transportation and logistics services provider UPS announced it is making additional multi-million-dollar investments into its safe driving education and training initiatives.

“Safe driving is no accident. Our drivers have a passion for safety that is built on a foundation of best-in-class training programs,” said Executive Vice President and President U.S., Nando Cesarone, in a statement. “The most important stop for our drivers is when they return home safely after work. And that’s why it’s our top priority to build a safe place to work that delivers on our promise to provide great paths for every UPSer to achieve their career goals.”

Company officials said that these investments include the introduction of another 20 driving and delivery simulators throughout the United States, which almost doubles its number of simulators at its facilities.

Jon Bowers, Director of UPS Integrad, told LM that the company currently has a total of 44 driving simulators at locations across the United States.

“Of the 44 current simulators, 11 are located at UPS Integrad locations [the company’s dedicated driver training schools],” said Bowers. “UPS collaborated with MIT, Virginia Tech and the Institute for the Future to build this high-tech, next-generation training program. The UPS Integrad driver training centers (11 in the U.S. and 2 international) use virtual and augmented reality along with traditional classroom instruction. Trainees get hands-on experience as they navigate the streets of a replica city with simulated commercial and residential delivery and pickup sites.”

What’s more, UPS said that all of the company’s 100,000-plus drivers leverage the company’s commitment to what it called industry-leading training, at the Integrad facilities. And the company added that its UPS driving simulators use virtual reality (VR) in an industrial training environment, with the simulators providing realistic driving experiences before UPS drivers operate an actual delivery vehicle. This VR experience also includes hands-on driving and instructor-led classroom training delivered by elite professional trainers, it added.

“At UPS, nothing is more important than the safety of our employees, customers and communities where we operate,” Bowers said. “We’re committed to creating some of the safest drivers in the world, and the investments in driver training have a direct impact on improving the skills of our drivers. Student trainees and current drivers can experience a wide variety of potential conditions and obstacles they need to understand and respond to, all without ever leaving the building.”

UPS also noted that the company’s Integrad facilities’ training is comprised of real-life challenges with typical road hazards, including pedestrians, parked cars and oncoming traffic, to ensure its drivers are ready to keep themselves and their communities safe while on the road. It also said the company’s culture of safety spans training and support services within its facilities and hubs and for on-the-road drivers and is backed by an investment in 2022 alone, for more than $343 million on safety training courses.

Looking ahead, Bowers noted that UPS is continuing to expand the network of its UPS Driving Simulators, with an additional 20 simulators planned for implementation in 2023.