BECT Institute launches safety training for first cohort of drivers in SC State’s SMART VR Transportation Lab
Airgas drivers, safety trainers and SC State graduate students participated in an immersive virtual reality transportation safety workshop.
Hosted by SC State’s Institute of Business, Environment, Communication and Transportation (BECT), the session brought together 28 Airgas commercial drivers and safety trainers for hands-on, simulation-based exercises replicating challenging driving environments.
The training covered pre-trip inspection, defensive driving, hazard recognition, emergency response, weather and road condition awareness, situational awareness and driver readiness.
The training initiative combines advanced virtual reality simulation technology with industry-leading transportation safety instruction to prepare commercial drivers for real-world operating conditions, improve hazard recognition, strengthen defensive driving techniques, enhance emergency response readiness and support overall roadway safety.
“This partnership represents a major step forward in workforce development and transportation safety innovation,” said Mark Kahn, director of operations at Airgas. “By leveraging cutting-edge virtual reality technology, we are equipping drivers with the skills and confidence needed to safely navigate today’s transportation challenges and reinforcing our commitment to operational excellence and the safety of our employees, customers and communities.”
The BECT Institute received a $1.98 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to develop the SMART VR Transportation Lab. The facility opened last fall in SC State's Engineering and Computer Science Complex.
SC State highlights workforce development
Officials at SC State emphasized the importance of industry-academic collaboration in advancing transportation education and workforce preparedness.
“The SMART VR Transportation Lab demonstrates South Carolina State University’s commitment to preparing highly skilled professionals through experiential learning and advanced technology,” said Dr. Barbara Adams, director of the BECT Institute. “We are proud to partner with Airgas in delivering training solutions that promote safety, efficiency and career readiness.”
Adams said the lab also is training SC State students to use the technology. Six graduate transportation students completed the training and conducted the training for Airgas.
The program aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen commercial transportation safety standards while creating opportunities for innovation in driver education and workforce training throughout the region.
Industry experts provide feedback
A notable aspect of the engagement was that several attendees were Airgas safety driver trainers with extensive professional driving and workforce safety training experience. Their participation provided valuable industry-informed perspectives on the practical relevance, realism and applicability of the VR training platform.
“Given their years of operational and training experience, their observations and recommendations offered meaningful insights into how the platform can be refined to better align with real-world commercial transportation safety training needs,” said Dr. Anthony Dontoh, interim director.
General outcome and strategic observations
A survey of participants indicated that 86% of respondents would recommend the training to other drivers, while 71% reported that the experience improved their safety awareness. Participants particularly valued the pre-trip inspection training components, immersive learning approach and the broader potential of the technology as a workforce safety training tool.
Participants also expressed strong positive feedback regarding the current state of the VR platform and commended the work being done in the lab. Several attendees, including experienced Airgas safety driver trainers, noted that the initiative shows significant promise as an innovative workforce safety training solution.
Overall, the engagement was productive and well-received. The session provided meaningful validation of the VR Lab’s current training direction while also generating actionable feedback for continued refinement.
The overwhelmingly positive response, particularly from experienced Airgas safety driver trainers, reinforces the practical potential of immersive simulation technologies as a scalable workforce safety training solution.
The successful completion of the first cohort marks the beginning of a broader collaboration between Airgas and SC State aimed at expanding access to advanced transportation training technologies and promoting excellence in commercial driver safety.
