March / April 2021 |
Logistics Education |
BULKDISTRIBUTOR |
17 |
Starting ‘ em early |
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Peter van Duuren outlines an innovative way to engage young people in engineering in general , and the logistics industry in particular
Affectionately dubbed the Tardis of automotive history , the DAF Museum in Eindhoven , the Netherlands , boasts an impressive collection of DAF cars , trucks , buses and trailers . It highlights the impressive , established development and production history of DAF Trucks , from its beginnings in 1928 , to the very latest products driving off the assembly line . The museum is mainly run by volunteers , consisting of retired teachers , industry experts and a substantial number of retired DAF staff . What may be less known about the museum is a commendable addition called the ‘ Trucknasium ’. This was set-up by Hans Staals , a retired DAF Trucks product development director , to promote technical engineering as a vocation to the next generations . This is a direct initiative to combat the substantial shortage of technically educated applicants across industries due to the lack of students looking at engineering as a career choice ; a situation undoubtedly still current , and familiar in many countries , with industries grappling to fill technical vacancies . The objective of the Trucknasium is therefore an interesting , industry-led initiative to lift the veil on technical vocations , through a ‘ do-and-discover-it-yourself ’ programme for young students . According to the mentors , interest needs to be established early so the programme is aimed at children in their final years of prep school , to second and third years of secondary school . Children follow presentations on varied technical mobility modules , after which they are immersed in a set of practical assignments with suitably appealing gadgetry . The Trucknasium and its passionate mentors , help create awareness of the industry and awaken possible previously unknown , interest in technical engineering . Engaging students at this young age is crucial to sow the seed for the industry , as this is the time they select those subjects that set them on course for their future careers . Just like the museum , the Trucknasium is run mostly by volunteers ( DAF , teaching and industry retirees ), who design and develop the various mobility modules , all of which are constantly updated and renewed to reflect new technological demands and developments in the industry , an admirable feat , as such dedication requires much time and effort on the part of the volunteers . Their devotion to their vocation , expertise and experience are invaluable to this project and the results are evident . Groups of 20 to 30 children sit through exciting presentations and are guided through practical assignments from designing a truck , measuring rolling resistance and even air resistance in the specially created wind tunnel . Modules include :
• Cab construction – cab variety and design , safety measures ,
Students sit through exciting presentations and are guided through practical assignments from designing a truck , measuring rolling resistance and transport propulsion
comfort , instruments , future developments . Students are then assigned to design their own cab on large interactive screens .
• Loading and weight distribution – maximum loads , legislation , road safety , weight distribution . Students are then assigned to load a ( mini ) DAF truck and assess correct weight distribution and maximum axle loads .
• Road safety – on-board traffic safety systems , interplay & awareness of truck / bus traffic and other road users .
• Air resistance – a wind tunnel simulator is available , where mini trucks of various models and designs , are tested up to a speed of some 80kph , to check the design measures taken to reduce air resistance and fuel consumption .
• Truck specification – especially for those students keen to work in the logistics industry , students are encouraged to design the truck for their ( future ) required logistical needs , including aspects of EU legislation on driving time , costs , etc .
• Rolling resistance – presentation the concept , measurement , what can be done to reduce , costs to logistics companies . With the use of ( and sitting on ) a special mini DAF Truck , students are taught to measure tyre pressures and loads .
• Robotics – students build their own mini truck and program it so that it performs various requested manoeuvres .
• Module Green – energy , environmental aspects of road transport , as well as new forms of transport propulsion such as EV , hybrid , hydrogen , etc . The new modules are CO2 and transport , air pollution and diesel engine , energy and transport , complete with practical test assignments .
Curriculums are actively sent out to schools each year , and schools can book their students in for museum and technical educational immersion . Pre-Covid , the Trucknasium would see approximately 50 school visits a year , which amounts to some 1,400 students enjoying a professional insight into the automotive industry . Active school engagement , and an added push from social media engagement from both the Trucknasium as well as the students themselves , this number is growing and set to rise . An impressive feat , which will hopefully be rewarded with increasing numbers of students opting for technical careers , and one to see duplicated in other countries and industries . Volunteers report that fortunately they have seen an upsurge in interest in technical based careers , some of which possibly through efforts of the Trucknasium . Though , as they confirm , there is a still notable shortage of technical skill in the labour market and much work is yet to be done . Peter van Duuren is a retired MD of DAF Trucks , including the truck maker ’ s operations in Kenya , Poland and Taiwan . He has more than 40 years working experience in the automotive industry , mainly in truck sales and marketing , management and business development . He currently works at the Trucknasium in the roles of organisation and management , as well as module design and teaching .
www . dafmuseum . nl / en
The Tardis of automotive history
Brexit buster route links Morocco and UK |
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new direct shipping route connecting the UK and
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Morocco is to be launched . The route , which has been established by maritime and transport specialist , United Seaways , will link Poole in Dorset to Tangier , Morocco . In planning for over two years the new line will help bypass post- Brexit traffic congestion and additional import procedures on goods arriving via Europe . It will also significantly reduce emissions compared to current logistic chains by road . The service will run once a week and cut journey times on Moroccan goods to fewer than three days , compared with more than six days via road . The route currently includes two ferry crossings – one from Morocco to Spain and one from North Europe to UK – but the new link will avoid the associated Brexit procedures and time delays the other crossings face . It will also be used to encourage British importers to source fresh produce and other products directly from Morocco and Africa , promoting southbound trade and scale-up exchanges between the two kingdoms . Nigel Jenney , CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium , said : “ Any solution that makes imports more effective , or eases trading with alternative countries , may well be a great opportunity for helping the UK source fresh produce from around the world .
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United Seaways is linking Poole , Dorset with Tangier , Morocco
“ I anticipate a strong demand for this new direct roro service . The route offers a rapid service and avoids the additional tariff complications of trading via the EU since the beginning of the year .” Elsewhere , Danish shipping company and member of the Cuxhaven Port Association ( HWG ) DFDS has expanded its scheduled freight liner traffic between Cuxhaven , Germany and Immingham , UK by one additional departure , which means there are now six
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weekly vessel departures .
Thanks to unaccompanied trailer transits , the route through Cuxhaven has shown itself to be robust despite the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit . Thus , handling at the Cuxport terminal for shipments to the UK can be carried out without interruption . With the additional Wednesday departure , the route originating at the Lower Saxony deepsea port will be served from Monday to Saturday . Two roro vessels , Selandia Seaways and Britannia Seaways will be deployed . Transit times between Cuxhaven and Immingham have been reduced to 19 hours ; plus , all departures now occur in the evenings . In particular , truck-trailer customers can now deliver their trailer or container units at HWG member Cuxport ’ s terminal in the evening and these units can be expedited on their onward journey without escort . “ With the additional departure and improved departure times in the evenings , we are offering our customers an attractive and reliable alternative for their shipments to and from Great Britain ,” said Marcus Braue , Cuxhaven site manager for DFDS Germany . He added : “ The market is indicating a general trend away from accompanied and towards unaccompanied trailer transits . For this reason , we have adjusted the departure times to be more in line with our customers ’ preferences .”
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