Thanks to a donation to get its Adult Education Program off the ground, IdleAire Advanced Travel Center Electrification soon will be installed in 70 new locations in 28 Eastern U.S. states, the company announced.
IdleAire units now are installed at 20 travel centers, and 920 fleets have signed up to use the technology, said David Everheart, IdleAire chief operating officer.
IdleAire plans a similar expansion in the Western states, though it’s too early to talk about, Everheart said.
The grant comes from the Colorado Education and Cultural Facilities Authority, which is expected to get final approval to loan $146 million worth of bonds to the non-profit Driver Education and Idling Reduction Foundation, which proposes online education and training for long-haul truck drivers using IdleAire’s system.
“IdleAire has developed a unique platform to deliver a revolutionary distance-learning tool to long-haul drivers that spend 250-300 nights on the road,” said Marianne Horinko, the foundation president. “Schedules and random routings preclude driver participation in traditional education and training programs, and distance-learning opportunities are limited because many drivers lack access to computer equipment and/or power sources.”
The foundation will provide truckers with GED, language, math and business education via color LCD displays, touch screens and the Internet, Horinko said.
IdleAire provides filtered heat and air, electric power, Internet access, satellite television, on-demand videos and telephone lines to parked trucks without idling.
