Posted: March 21, 2019 Read time: 5 Minutes
Accreditation of the new autonomous safety driver training course, launched in November last year, coincides with the government's recent update to the Code of Practice: Automated Vehicle Trialling.
CAV developers require experience in the world of vehicle testing and evaluation driving to comply with the latest government advice. Whilst OEM's and companies already established in the world of vehicle testing will, in the majority of instances, already comply, Start-ups and established technology companies not familiar with the ways of the motor industry may find themselves with a bridge to gap.
These strengthened Department for Transport guidelines reinforce the need to develop a detailed Safety Case before conducting trials, which includes safety driver or remote operator training. 4.14 of the Code states: 'Trialling organisations are expected to develop robust procedures to ensure the competency of safety drivers and operators.'
CAT Driver Training's innovative autonomous safety driver training course is the first of its kind and now the first to achieve official accreditation. Chief Instructor Colin Hoad said:
The course we have designed is unique, combining engineering knowledge with advanced defensive driving technique. Like CAT, many of the companies developing self-driving vehicles are independent. Their speciality lies in technology and AI, meaning developers will likely have had little or no experience testing within testbeds and test tracks.
CAT's newly accredited four-day course has been developed to support autonomous experts across a variety of fields, contributing to robust health and safety policy and procedure.
To help educate and inform road users, as well as providing assurance on the safety of trials, the Code strongly advises trialling organisations make their Safety Cases freely available to the public (3.10). It is clear while the government supports the rapid acceleration of automated vehicle trialling, the priority for organisations is to include robust safety measures, training programmes and risk assessments in order to test on the public highway.
Course creator, Colin Hoad adds:
We believe driving Intelligence is the missing piece of the self-driving puzzle. By uniting the testing and evaluation practices of today with vehicle dynamic driving principal; our training optimises existing CAV development projects to produce the most advanced driver of tomorrow.
The autonomous safety driver course is accredited at the Level 4 category (comparable with a 1st year Degree) with 3 vocational learning credits from OCN Credit4Learning. Qualification body OCN adds:
The panel discussed the programme and commended the writing and quality of thought and information in the course design. OCN look forward to working with CAT Driver Training Ltd.
Delegates taking the course will be trained and tested using a varied selection of driving scenarios and road networks on the public highway, along with five different circuits in UTAC's Millbrook Proving Ground. Written tests are included to confirm Highway Code and vehicle dynamics knowledge and learning outcomes.
END
Lucy Hoad
marketing@catdrivertraining.co.uk
CAT Driver Training is the UK’s definitive provider of engineering driver training. Trusted by motor manufacturers to train their engineers, training and coaching to OEM’s and those companies already established in the world of vehicle testing, services began in 2005. Unrivalled in course content & personalisation, CAT has redefined the driver training & coaching experience. Intelligently designed, courses deliver maximum enjoyment & safety. The only driver training facility based inside the world-leading testbed, UTAC, formerly known as Millbrook, CAT’s global client base value the diversity and expertise the training provides. Now successfully delivering the world’s first accredited independent Safety Driver Training for Connected Autonomous Vehicle Development, CAT Driver Training combines unique industry expertise with advanced and defensive driving technique.
Call: 01234 757 633
Email: info@catdrivertraining.co.uk
CAT Driver Training is the fast way to develop & improve authentic dynamic driving skill, technique & knowledge from the Best. OEM recognised driver training for individuals & the motor industry. As the leading UK based independent advanced performance driving skills company, we exist to make your driving experience even better. Explore your cars potential, fulfill your own. Coaching advanced road & track skills, safety driver training courses for individual driving enthusiasts & advanced driving for all facets of the motor industry. The only training company resident within UTAC's Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, within easy reach of London, & all surrounding counties: Hertfordshire; Buckinghamshire; Oxfordshire; Nottinghamshire; Cambridgeshire; Norfolk; Suffolk; Essex; & Surrey. Clients travel from the World over & the UK to learn from the authentic evidence based dynamic driving & vehicle dynamic experts. | All Rights Reserved | Copyright 2005 – 2024
Some of the links we use are affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, CAT will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalise a purchase.
Designed by WHP
Coded and built by Prominent Media