Alberta Motor Transport Association opens state-of-the-art safety training facility to improve commercial driver training

EDMONTON, March 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) hosted the grand opening of its state-of-the-art safety training facility at the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) Airport City site today. The facility will function as a commercial transportation hub for safety training development and delivery, research and technology innovation and will play a key role in strengthening education for commercial drivers across the province.

In addition to numerous classrooms specifically designed for driver education, the facility also includes both a five-acre training track designed to give drivers comprehensive real-life road experience and vehicle-use training as well as two simulators where drivers will be able to experience different road and travel challenges.

According to AMTA President Chris Nash, the facility demonstrates the industry's commitment to continuous improvement for the commercial transportation industry. Says Nash, "For the AMTA, road safety is paramount. We are confident that this facility will help to improve commercial driver's skills and enhance road safety for all."

"We are extremely pleased with the priority that AMTA continues to place on road safety," said Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation for the Government of Alberta. "We are confident that by strengthening opportunities for commercial drivers to learn and improve we will be making our roads safer."

The facility and training track are on seven acres of EIA land forming part of Airport City. AMTA has reserved 13 adjacent acres with plans to expand the facility as the AMTA continues to evolve.

Tom Ruth, EIA CEO welcomes the AMTA to its location. According to Ruth, the facility is a "welcome addition" of the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre at the EIA Airport City and the simulator represents a third addition to simulator equipment housed at Airport City.

Facility facts

• The facility is comprised of a five-acre training track, truck bay, two simulators, one mobile and one portable; classrooms and office space with rental opportunities available. The top floor has 6,000 sub-dividable square feet available for lease.
• The facility was constructed to LEED Silver standards and includes components such as solar reflectance, electric vehicle charging stations and a green roof. LEED buildings save energy, water, resources, generate less waste and support the health of its occupants.
• Construction of the nearly 20,000 sq. ft. facility and five-acre training track was announced early 2017 at EIA. Spacemakers Construction was the design-build contractor.
• The facility is the third component of the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre at EIA, joining a Canadian North 737 training simulator and HNZ Topflight helicopter training simulator.

About Alberta Motor Transport Association  

The Alberta Motor Transport Association is a not-for-profit, advocacy and safety training association functioning as the voice, the standard and the resource for commercial transportation in Alberta. For more than 80 years our work has encompassed a broad range of environmental, social, economic, safety and compliance matters that impact Alberta's highways. Visit amta.ca for more information.

SOURCE Alberta Motor Transport Association

For further information: Aneesha Birk, Marketing Communications Advisor, AMTA, 403-463-2584, [e-mail]