The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/221397
focus on ergonomics may continue as fleets face a worsening driver shortage. We could see more adoption of driver comfort options such as the Bose Ride system, a seat that uses "intelligent motion" technology to improve driver comfort and reduce fatigue. MORE SAFETY FEATURES We'll almost certainly see more penetration of high-tech safety systems such as collision avoidance, lane departure warning, rollover prevention and stability control, says Ryder's Perry. "CSA has definitely driven that from the accountability standpoint." They may well be mandated by the federal government some day. TMC's survey predicts greater than 80% usage of lane departure warning systems and collision warning/mitigation systems. They believe we'll see over 60% usage of blind spot monitors, and more than 40% usage of cameras monitoring the driver. These features will continue to improve and add more capabilities and integration with other systems in the coming years. SmartDrive, for instance, recently announced integration of its camera-based system with collision mitigation systems from third-party suppliers. Maverick's Jeffress speculates that the advanced systems we see today could perhaps be paired with even Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation as the Global Leader and Inventor of Automatic Tire AfÛYlagfKqkl]ek& Thank you to all of the Private and For-Hire Heavy Duty Trucking Fleets for making MTIS by PSI the #1 Automatic Tire IfÛYlagfSystem Choice for 20 Years! www.psi-atis.com 210.222.1926 Circle 271 on Reader Action Card 42 HDT • DECEMBER 2013 more advanced computer algorithms that operate intelligently based on the individual driver. "If a system can prevent you from following closer than, say, 3 seconds, then it should be able to learn an operator's habits and adjust accordingly," he says. Safety innovations aren't always about computers. Navistar, for instance, showcased a corner illumination lamp on its Project Horizon truck, which is automatically activated with the turn signal. As the driver signals to turn, four corner LED lights are activated, illuminating the corner to provide the driver increased visibility before the turn. MORE MEDIUMDUTY CABOVERS Fuso's Bloom predicts we'll see an increase in medium-duty cabovers for urban applications, while vocational trucks will largely still be conventionals. In fact, he sees the re-entry of more low cabovers in the Class 6 and 7 market, thanks to their maneuverability, sightlines and overall efficiencies in an urban environment. Kenworth's Class 6 K270 and Class 7 K370 cabover medium-duty trucks, introduced about 18 months ago, are making far more inroads into the market than the company's previous forays into this segment, say company officials. Doug Powell, medium-duty marketing manager, says these trucks are better suited to the North American market than the company's previous attempts. "We're really pushing our dealers www.truckinginfo.com