Detroit, Michigan — The Women in Trucking Association launched its mobile 18‑wheel driving simulator, nicknamed “WITney,” at a Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan event on Sept. 5, letting participants experience a full‑size rig without leaving the parking lot.
Female representation behind the wheel has climbed to a record high in recent years, yet women still account for just about 17 % of the nation’s truck drivers. With the FMCSA reporting a persistent driver gap that threatens freight reliability, industry leaders see diversity as a practical solution to the shortage. A hands‑on simulator that demystifies the job for women and girls could turn curiosity into a sustainable pipeline of CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators.
WITney’s trailer houses 20 interactive programs and six progressive lessons that mimic everything from city maneuvering to highway cruising. After Detroit, the unit headed to Rhode Island, partnering with the Rhode Island Trucking Association and Howes, a supplier of diesel‑related products, to reach a broader audience. XPO Logistics supervisor Haily Dobish and HR staffer Mia Furtado spent a day in the rig, noting that the turns proved the toughest part of the experience. Dobish said the simulation made her reconsider a seat behind the wheel, while Furtado admitted she would need practice to master the controls. Co‑owner Deborah Howes emphasized that the industry’s driver shortage makes recruiting women a priority, and Women in Trucking president Jennifer Hedrick highlighted the educational outreach as a level‑playing field for prospective OTR truck driver candidates.
What This Means for Drivers
For current CDL‑A drivers, the simulator offers a recruitment tool that can funnel qualified talent directly into company training programs, shortening the time it takes to bring new OTR truck driver hires up to speed. Fleet managers can use the mobile unit at hiring fairs to showcase modern equipment and safety technology, potentially boosting retention among women who value hands‑on learning. Owner‑operators may see a broader pool of independent drivers willing to partner on long‑haul contracts, easing capacity constraints for niche markets that have struggled to fill routes.
Industry Reaction
Howes praised the event as “a practical way to break down barriers,” noting that Howes’ own hiring pipeline has already seen an uptick in female applicants after the Rhode Island demo. Hedrick added that the Women in Trucking Association plans to expand the tour to at least ten more cities before the end of the year, hoping that exposure will translate into measurable gains in truck driver jobs for women. Across the sector, carriers such as Schneider and J.B. Hunt have publicly committed to increasing their female workforce, citing the simulator as a model for future outreach.
Key Points
- Women hold roughly 17 % of U.S. truck driver positions, far below the industry’s labor needs.
- WITney features 20 programs and six lessons that replicate real‑world rig operation.
- Recent stops included Detroit (Girl Scouts) and Rhode Island (RI Trucking Association and Howes).
- Participants reported the simulator’s turning challenges but expressed interest in further training.
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