WINNIPEG, Man. — Bison Transport and MPRI have announced that their joint effort to integrate simulation technology into Bison’s driver training program has been recognized by The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA).

TCA named Bison the grand prize winner of its prestigious 2005 National Fleet Safety Award for Bison’s commitment to overall safety on- and off-highway. Since the implementation of MPRI simulators in 2002, Bison’s annual accumulated safe driving miles for their fleet of 800 trucks have increased by nearly 50%, while greater fuel efficiency resulted in annual savings of $1,120,000.

“There is no greater testament to the success of our simulators than the qualitative and quantitative results that Bison Transport has seen in its customized training program,” said Stewart Wallace, senior vice-president at MPRI. “Bison’s program has captured the full potential of our technology and translated that into safety standards that deliver cost efficiencies and, most importantly, the safety of their drivers and the motoring public.”

Bison won the safety award in the category of companies operating more than 25 million miles annually, and was selected from 18 division winners in the National Fleet Safety Division Awards announced in January. The award was presented to Rob Penner, vice-president, operations of Bison Transport at TCA’s annual conference in March. Bison is the first Canadian trucking company to utilize stationary and full motion simulators into its training program.

Bison uses MPRI’s full suite of state-of-the-art driver simulators to expose drivers to a broad range of driving scenarios designed to strengthen and refine safety skills over the road. MPRI driver training simulators, which include the Mark III and TranSim VS models, are designed to transform safer driving techniques into greater profitability for companies. The simulators feature leading-edge software for clear visuals across three screens for a 180- to 360-degree field of vision, precision motion platforms for a realistic feel, steering that provides real-time feedback to augment muscle memory in maneuver techniques, and a fully operational cab/dashboard with true-to-life instrument panel, gauges and other features.