Collision Avoidance: Measuring the benefits of onboard safety systems
In an effort to further its goal of reducing the number and severity of large truck crashes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has summarized the costs and benefits for three types of commercial motor vehicle onboard safety systems. In its reports, FMCSA defines and quantifies key financial metrics for commercial motor carriers, such
Onboard safety: avoiding distractions
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports show that "driver distraction is a primary contributing factor in 25% to 30% of crashes." The FMSCA report FMCSA-RRR-09-042 further indicates that "most transportation researchers believe the actual percentage of distraction-related crashes may be higher than 25% to 30%." According to a U.S. Department of Transportation-funded study by
Automated manual and automatic transmissions offer fuel savings
Automated manual or automatic transmissions remove the burden of shifting from the driver, improving efficiency and fuel economy.
How to maintain proper tire pressure and balance tire/wheel assemblies
Proper tire pressures and tire balancing are vital for reducing commercial vehicle tire costs.
Maintain proper tire pressure for added benefits
Tire pressure monitoring and automatic inflation systems work in combination to improve fuel economy, enhance safety and lower overall fleet costs.
Tips for longer-lasting lighting systems
From correcting voltage problems to playing detective when it comes to bad bulbs, here are some tips to ensure your fleet’s lighting systems will last as long as possible.
Choose the right alternator for longer battery life
Fleets that have experienced problems with short-lived batteries would do well to rethink their choice of alternators.
Shop lifts improve safety and productivity
Primarily a means of facilitating service operations and enabling technicians to more safely and productively work on vehicles, properly specified, installed and maintained shop lifts can provide measurable improvements in safety and productivity. Vehicle lifts provide convenient access to serviceable parts, enabling technicians to get more work done in less time. Designed to safely raise
belts, hoses and coolant
Longer life, maintenance-free, no surprises or road emergencies—those would be the goals from your truck’s belts, hoses and coolant. But achieving such worry-free operation requires some planning and forethought on your part. Certainly, start by buying the products from a reputable manufacturer, dealer or distributor. • Flexfab’s Bill Morrissey says, “Many of our fleet customers
Fan drives and fuel economy
The cooling systems developed for today’s on-highway tractors are highly advanced. Design requirements facing manufacturers of fan drives must address the higher heat output of new emissions-compliant engine families. Vehicle aerodynamics, essential for improving fuel economy, can reduce the effectiveness of ram air and in turn generate the need for additional cooling from fans. Simultaneously,
Foundation Brakes
Issued in July 2009 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), new tractor braking standards are set to take effect in August of this year. To meet and exceed the rule’s more stringent stopping distance requirements, braking system suppliers have been working in close cooperation with vehicle manufacturers to develop and refine effective solutions
The benefits of dressed axles
When spec’ing drive and trailer axles, fleets may hear the term “dressed axles,” which refers to axles with a complete braking system and wheel-end components.