J. J. Keller’s Virtual Reality Training Named a Heavy Duty Trucking 2026 Top 20 Product
Immersive format reinforces essential safety training without real-world risk
For immediate release (February 13, 2026)
Neenah, WI - The editors of Heavy Duty Trucking have named the Virtual Reality Training Solution from J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. as a Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) 2026 Top 20 Product, honoring the best new or significantly improved products introduced to the trucking industry in 2025.
J. J. Keller’s virtual reality (VR) training solution uses immersive simulations to help employees practice safety and compliance procedures in a controlled, realistic environment. The solution includes courses on pre trip inspections, reasonable suspicion, lockout/tagout and other critical tasks, all delivered through the J. J. Keller® Virtual Reality Training Headset. It integrates directly into the J. J. Keller® Training Management Center, allowing customers to enroll learners and track VR course performance within the same system used for J. J. Keller’s E Learning, streaming video and classroom training.
“It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of everyone at J. J. Keller who helped make our virtual training solution possible,” said J. J. Keller’s president, CEO and vice chairman, Rustin Keller. “Improving the effectiveness of safety training in order to protect people and the businesses they run is key to fulfilling our purpose.”
To determine the Top 20 Products, HDT’s team of experienced trucking editors evaluate all the new and significantly improved products they reported on during the past year to develop a list of finalists. A panel of fleet managers is then asked to score each finalist in three areas in order to determine the winners:
- Innovation
- Ability to address industry issues
- Potential to help fleets’ bottom lines
Not eligible for the Top 20 awards are full powered vehicles or concept/demonstration vehicles or products. Products must be currently commercially available or expected to become commercially available in 2026. Companies are limited to having one award in a year. HDT's Top 20 award grew out of its longtime annual "Nifty 50.” But while the Nifty 50 was chosen exclusively by HDT's editors, the Top 20 is chosen with the help of leading fleet equipment, maintenance and management executives.
“Innovation matters, but fleets need solutions they can actually put to work,” said HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge. “Having fleet managers involved in the Top 20 Products awards helps us spotlight products that tackle real challenges and deliver practical value as the industry continues to evolve.”
The full list of HDT’s 2026 Top 20 Products appears in the January/February print issue of Heavy Duty Trucking as well as on www.truckinginfo.com. Awards are presented in individual ceremonies at winners’ booths during the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting and exposition.
J. J. Keller is a leader in safety and compliance, serving the transportation industry since 1953. Today, it helps over 500,000 companies of all types and sizes across North America with solutions ranging from training to fleet technology, professional services, publications, forms, PPE and safety supplies.
Heavy Duty Trucking, a Bobit Business Media brand, has been serving the trucking industry for over 100 years with award-winning editorial content on all aspects of running a successful trucking fleet.