Technology is at its best when it’s moving industry forward. In the trucking industry, it can help make equipment more productive, more efficient and, perhaps most importantly, safer. Safety is a topic that’s always at the forefront of the trucking world—from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety and Accountability to the National Transportation Safety Board—and today’s technology is helping to make fleets safer than ever.
Active safety systems are one of the biggest growth areas in the safety arena. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has had collision mitigation technology on its “most wanted” list for several years.
“National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s [NHTSA] final ruling in June requiring electronic stability control [ESC] systems on truck tractors and large buses has in turn increased stability control penetration and a reported 60% decline in stability control related rollovers. NHTSA has referred to ESC systems as being a remarkable safety success story, and our customers’ experiences entirely support that view,” said Jon Morrison, president of WABCO Americas. “The combination of NTSB’s recommendations and the growing acceptance of these new technologies in the market has and will continue to accelerate recognition of the high value advanced safety systems provide.”
“[NTSB] involvement helps build awareness of these systems among fleets and owner-operators,” added Fred Andersky, director of customer solutions—controls group for Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, “helping make folks aware of these technologies and how they can help is beneficial for the industry as a whole.”
While advanced safety systems are the latest technologies to hit the market, let’s not forget the tried and true products that continue to protect and server fleets. According to Morrison, air disc brakes, which tie into advanced safety systems by providing a shorter and more consistent stopping distance, have had reported growth from 9% market share in 2012 to 16% in 2015 and are projected to grow to over 22% by 2018 thanks in part to the NTSB mandate as well as proven market value in recent years.
As you spec the latest equipment on your trucks, also remember that you need to consider driver training, driver coaching, maintenance practices and other aspects to help improve overall safety performance at the fleet. “It’s critical to always keep in mind that no advanced safety system replaces the need for an alert driver practicing safe driving habits and continually developing their skills through comprehensive driver training,” Andersky noted.
What new equipment could your fleet put to work to make it more productive and safer? The articles from the Fleet Equipment Safety Supplement range from an overview of the latest safety systems available, to the value of air ride suspensions, to how to avoid tire-related CSA violations. Take a look, and learn about all the latest ways to stay safe.
