Development of a Course on Hydrogen Hazard Awareness Training for Commercial Vehicle Drivers

Goal

To develop instructional materials for and to conduct one pilot training class on hydrogen hazard awareness for drivers of commercial vehicles using hydrogen fuel.

Background

Through an earlier project, an instructional design guide was completed in April 2011 to provide training on hydrogen hazard awareness to drivers of commercial vehicles using hydrogen fuel. This project is a follow-on effort to implement the instructional design guide for drivers and conduct a pilot training class for drivers.

Summary

Instructional materials were developed from the instructional design guide for use in classroom training. These materials included an instructor's handbook, a student's handbook, PowerPoint presentation slides, charts, film or video clips, hands-on exercises, and a combustible gas detector. The materials were used to conduct a pilot training class at a Port of Los Angeles drayage truck fleet operator. The Port of Los Angeles planned to deploy tractors using hydrogen fuel cell range extenders to recharge electric batteries in order to reduce emissions and maximize deployment of the tractors without having to cease operations for charging of batteries.

Outcomes

Instructional materials (as described above) and one pilot training class.

Milestones

This project is completed. Period of performance was 1 year.

Funding

FY 2011: $40,000 - Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) (Hydrogen Funds)

Status

The pilot training class, the first of its kind for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), took place July 25, 2013.