The pros and cons of truck driver-facing cameras
Put yourself in the shoes of a truck driver—the person you depend on to operate your equipment as efficiently and productively as possible. Your life is spent on the road, and while you have a schedule and goals to hit (MPG levels, on-time deliveries, etc.), above all, one of the great perks of your job
How driver-facing cameras work
Driver-facing cameras are generally part of a larger video telematics system, which is made up of a series of cameras and sensors that monitor driver and truck behavior and set alerts to the fleet manager if certain parameters are exceeded or violated. These parameters are typically customizable and are set by the fleet—for instance, a
The forward-thinking approach of Cowan Systems
In the 47 years that Michael Sizemore has worked in truck fleets, he’s seen what he calls some very intelligent decisions. “In 1994, when Joseph Cowan, the son of the company’s founder W.T. Cowan, opened Cowan Systems LLC as a new operating entity, he created a niche with a lightweight fleet,” says the director of
Inside Boyle Transport’s driver-centric training
In conjunction with a wide range of equipment and maintenance initiatives aimed at fostering and improving safety, Boyle Transportation is equally focused on its drivers. “We maintain a direct dialogue between our professional drivers and our safety and maintenance departments,” says Michael Lasko, manager of safety and quality. “In terms of technology, we have installed
Bulldog Hiway Express is firmly focused on safety, customer service
It’s no mystery what’s most important to Phil Byrd, president and chief executive officer of Bulldog Hiway Express. “All of our employees know that we will never, ever compromise on safety or compliance,” he says. “We will always operate as a safety-first company.” What’s also apparent is that those aren’t just words to Byrd. In several
Integrated safety systems: Living up to the hype
Mandating stability control and safety systems for heavy trucks began several years ago with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test analysis, which revealed that a large percentage of heavy truck crashes are rollover-related and can be mitigated by stability control interventions. During that period, braking system suppliers began testing new braking and stability
WABCO unveils next-gen OnLane lane departure warning system
WABCO unveiled its next generation OnLane lane departure warning system (LDWS), an advanced driver assistance system that features a new, high resolution camera integrated with a SmartDrive video-based driver performance management system. WABCO’s OnLane is a camera-based LDWS that continuously monitors the vehicle’s position within lane markings. It alerts the driver via visual, audible or
Strapping in to advanced safety offerings
In the past year, safety systems that orchestrate radar, camera systems and adaptive cruise control features have grown in popularity as fleets aim to mitigate collisions, reduce costs and better protect not only the driver and truck, but those who share the road with these heavy trucks. Let’s do a walk around of the latest
Enhancing safety through vehicle visibility
One year ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule requiring rear visibility technology in all new vehicles under 10,000 lbs. GVWR by May 2018. At the time, it noted that the new rule “enhances the safety of these vehicles by significantly reducing the risk of fatalities
Building a safer heavy-duty truck
In a national poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies in late September on attitudes about the trucking industry, 80% of survey recipients said they believe truck drivers are safer than passenger vehicle drivers. Additionally, 90% of respondents said passenger vehicle drivers are more likely to speed than truck drivers, and 74% think that when an
