A computer-based training (CBT) program is helping transportation agencies in Canada and the United States (US) transcend traditional training boundaries of time and distance to improve winter maintenance operations. The CBT is being used in both individual and conventional group training modes. It is most effective and efficient as an individual self-paced instruction program. In an effort to reach field forces more effectively, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) launched an Anti-Icing/Road Weather Information System (AI/RWIS) CBT into the winter maintenance training arena. Over 90% of US snow-belt states, three provinces and numerous cities in both countries have purchased the CBT. This paper describes how the AI/RWIS CBT is being utilized in both countries and underscores the valuable lessons learned from successful and not-so-successful deployments. It also shows how institutional barriers were breached, entrenched work cultures changed, and how recent research is being incorporated into the instructional content to ensure that training material stays current. For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD number E211521.
Abstract