A blended learning suite to help fleet managers reduce road collisions
To help reduce road collisions in London, Walkgrove was commissioned by Arup (on behalf of Transport for London) to help create a transport industry-focused collision management toolkit and a range of complementary blended training materials for fleet operators.
The training need
The Fleet and Freight team of Transport for London (TfL) wanted to ensure the continued reduction of traffic collisions in the city. They needed a blended range of information, learning and training materials that would raise the profile of collision management within the road transport sector and help fleet operators to improve their collision management practices, as well as promote better education of fleet staff about their responsibilities relevant to road collisions.
The first requirement was for a collision management toolkit that would offer operators practical solutions to minimise collisions and deal with those that do occur effectively. The toolkit needed to include policies and procedures that could be applied routinely by all fleet operators for collision monitoring, investigation, reporting and management. Toolkit development also had to reflect key standards including CLOCS (which safeguards vulnerable road users), the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (a voluntary accreditation scheme), Work Related Road Risk (a freight safety initiative), insurance requirements and performance management needs.
The second requirement was for materials and trainer packs in order to deliver two classroom training courses. Face-to-face training needed to equip staff members in key roles with practical collision management knowledge and skills.
The third training need was for digital resources that would consolidate the learning experience for those who attended in-class training.
The primary target audience for all training materials were fleet management staff and road safety professionals with responsibility for implementing road traffic collision management procedures, investigating specific incidents and making prevention recommendations. The materials needed to be easily adoptable by fleets of any size, operating in any industry sector and using any vehicle type.
Our bespoke learning solution
Walkgrove began the blended learning development process by conducting a training needs assessment and hosting a co-creation workshop with Arup that included fleet operator and industry representatives. Using this collaborative approach, the team was able to produce a robust competency framework setting out the key skills of essential collision management roles. Building on this foundation and working closely with subject matter experts at Arup, Walkgrove developed a large blended learning suite on collision management and collision minimisation best practice.
1. The toolkit
Walkgrove helped to design and publish a creative pack of easily applied collision management tools that would help fleet operators adopt good industry practice covering collision management and the reduction of collisions. The document pack used a thematic approach, introducing contextual information before providing a range of practical policies and processes that reflected best practice standards. The toolkit also included guidance and materials for effective internal communication, such as posters and ‘toolbox talks’ encouraging drivers to prioritise road safety.
The toolkit was designed for use as a standalone resource but was also aligned with the face-to-face training and bespoke e-learning content.
2. Training workshops
Based on the competency framework for effective collision management within fleet operations, Walkgrove worked with Arup to develop the face-to-face training.
The Road Risk Champion element targeted management-level fleet staff and focused on equipping learners to manage road risk at a company level by implementing preventative policies and interventions.
Collision Investigator was aimed at duty manager level and provided learners with the knowledge, skills and systematic investigative and evaluation techniques to help prevent future collisions at depot level.
Both elements used a real-world theme throughout, focusing on the practical application of knowledge and experiential learning through using realistic worked examples and activities. As a springboard for the learning materials, each course involved a dramatised collision management scenario. Walkgrove used a combination of dramatised video scenarios and 3D graphical simulation to create a compelling story of a common traffic incident involving a driver of a fictional company called ‘Move’. Using a matter-of-fact narrative and featuring relatable characters, each scenario offered an accessible way to address the training day’s key themes of collision monitoring, investigation, management and minimisation.
Walkgrove provided a comprehensive learner pack for each course, including clear information on all learning objectives and space for personal notes and reflections. A train-the-trainer pack was also developed to facilitate the consistent delivery of each course, including context, learning objectives and lesson plans as well as delivery enhancement information about the principles of effective training.
3. Bespoke e-learning
To consolidate the face-to-face training, Walkgrove developed two creative 20-minute e-learning modules that reiterated the key messages of the Collision Investigator and Road Risk Champion training on the organisational management of road risk and the investigative post-collision process.
Featuring the same fictional company as the video-based narratives in the classroom training, each e-learning course immersed learners in a realistic collision management story, giving the audience a sense of a typical collision investigation timeline and process. To maximise engagement, the bespoke e-learning modules used an attractive photo-story illustration style and included video clips, 3D animation and photography, simulation, gaming-style features and audio narrative to bring the story to life.
To help resonate with the target audience, the tone of voice was conversational, frank and friendly, creating the impression for learners of being coached by a peer rather than instructed by an authoritve figure. Humour and game-like interactive elements were also included to help make the learning feel fun and interesting as well as informative.
