Diesels will win the fuel race
Last month I said we are now getting some sanity back regarding which alternate fuels and feedstock sources will be utilized in the U. S. marketplace. Well, it’s not over yet!
Fuel economy
Making effective tire choices for fuel efficiency, relates Curtis Decker, national manager, field engineering at Continental Tire North America, Commercial Group, means fleet managers have to first consider the true environment in which their vehicles operate.
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Bendix testing adaptive cruise control
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC continues research and development on the latest element of its active safety system strategy: adaptive cruise control (ACC). The Bendix approach will enable brake intervention in ACC mode to help rapidly slow the vehicle and maintain following distance in addition to engine dethrottling and engine brake (retarder) applications. The technology builds on its original active safety system, Bendix ESP stability system.
Safety – Brakes
While braking system suppliers to the trucking industry continue to bring new technologies and specification choices to fleets, the desire to improve safety and stopping performance is hardly new.
Fuel economy: Onboard tire monitoring and inflation systems
Onboard tire monitoring and inflation systems
Safety – Braking Systems
NHTSA calls for a 20 percent to 30 percent reduction in the required stopping distance for large trucks.
Trailer Productivity: Corrosion Control
Durability. Cost. Image. Three main factors in fleet decisions about trailer specifications that are directly affected by a common enemy – corrosion. From the roofline to structural members, suspensions, axles, landing gear and upper-couplers, constant bombardment by moisture and debris – as well as exposure to road salts and other de-icing materials – makes specifying trailers for corrosion protection of utmost concern to fleet managers. Equally aware of the challenge are trailer, system and component manufacturers, who are addressing the problems caused by corrosion with new technologies and processes.
Spec’ing for Safety Rear-Vision Technologies
Backing accidents are quite common, according to David Money, technical director, transportation services, at Liberty Mutual Group’s Research Institute for Safety. “They account for 15 percent of all commercial motor vehicle accidents,” he says, “and while less expensive than other types of accidents because they generally happen at slow speeds, their frequency and the potential for serious consequences make it imperative to provide drivers with the best-possible visibility when backing.”
Fuel economy: Tires
As record-high fuel prices continue to impact the bottom lines of all types of trucking operations, fleet managers are taking a much closer look at all of the factors that contribute to fuel efficiency.