Lab
Lab instruction includes exercises in and around a parked tractor-trailer and offers a hands-on introduction to tractor-trailer components and vehicle control systems. Various types of vehicle inspections are taught, including North American/CVSA level 1, required annual inspection, various driver pre-trip and post trip "by the book" inspections with reporting requirements, and driver walk-around inspections in the real world environment. Lab instruction also includes practical applications of truck electronics and technology, introduction to electronic logging devices, overview of electronic logging devices (ELDs), ELD limitations, administrative monitoring of in-truck technology as seen by the motor carrier, overview of cameras and safety monitoring devices including their limitations, electronic control modules (ECMs) engine data downloads including the methods, interpretations, and use of the data.
Driving Range
This section presents hands-on driving instruction on our off-road obstacle course driving range. Instruction includes basic control, coupling and uncoupling, shifting, backing a tractor-trailer, lateral clearance, turning, alley docking, and development of basic maneuvering skills. A variety of visibility testing and experiment exercises are included such as warning triangle application, low beam/high beam distance and reflectivity tests, blind spot/no-zone tests, tire inspections and inflation tests.
Streets & Highways
This section covers the interaction between the driver/CMV combination and the traffic environment. The instruction focuses on The Legacy 7-View Performance requirements. Participants attending without a CDL Permit will observe highway driving procedures that will be explained using a "commentary driving" instructional technique. Participants attending with a CDL Permit will have the opportunity to operate the CMV in traffic under the direct guidance of a competent instructor. Advanced operating procedures are taught in this section, which includes visual search, communication in traffic, speed and space management, sight line & blind spots, night operation, and extreme driving conditions. Participants without a CDL Permit will have an opportunity to operate a truck at highway speeds on the driving course at the Legacy Proving Grounds.
Proving Grounds
Participants will take part in a variety of testing and data collection exercises during this phase of the program. Examples included: stopping distances at various speeds (including brakes in adjustment, various brakes out of adjustment, various speeds), right and left-hand turn timing, shoulder entry & exit timing, wheel departure vibration testing, moving and trailer from a traveled lane with locked brakes, wheel changing observation and torque application, acceleration timing, various gear selection speed timing, engine data downloads and analysis, nighttime visibility exercises, fog/smoke visibility and more.
As an extra benefit during the classroom and field exercises, Michael DiTallo from Northwestern University and Dynamic Safety LLC will be giving a variety of presentations to the class including Event Data Recorders now and in the future, Heavy Vehicle Cras Restoration Principles, Emerging Heavy Vehicle Technologies and Level 1 to 5 DOT inspections.
Mr. DiTallo will be instrumental in leading several of the tests and experiment exercises performed at the Driving Range segment fo this course based on his extensive experience.
After the presentations and exercises, Mr. DiTallo will be available for a question and answer session that promises to be informative and rewarding.
Teaching the Latest Techonology
The LEgacy Trucking Porgram for Legal and Administrative Professionals give you the opportunity to witness and learn first hand about the latest technology used in trucking. You will discover what is ready for prime time, and what isn't. The concepts of the latest truck technology are appearing more and more in litigation matters surrounding truck crashes.