New Safety Technologies and Programs for Truck Transportation

Key Takeaways:

• Benefits of Truck Fleet Upgrades
• Truck Transportation Safety Stats
• Helping companies repl ace older trucks in a planned financial manner
• Safety technologies implemented in trucks
• Use of Autonomous trucks – survey findings
• Inference

The Fleet Advantage Survey showed that upgrading to new safety-complied new trucks has drastically reduced the truck crash. The study reveals that 11% of the transportation fleets have saved more than $1 million in crash avoidance by upgrading to advanced safety-complied new trucks. Truck companies that use old and obsolete trucks for their transportation put the company reputation and driver – both at risk. Under the Safety First program, the Fleet Advantage purchases 2017 and older model-year trucks and tractors, leases them back for an interim period. At the same time, the company switches to purchase new state-of-the-art trucks that come with advanced and sophisticated safety technology. 

Benefits of Truck Fleet Upgrades

For companies that transport foods, goods and carriers for grocery companies, retailers and oil-gas companies, the truck fleet upgrade can bring in significant savings and produce zero-emission gas. Greater fuel efficiency and much lower maintenance expense account are what attracts fleet companies to upgrade to newer trucks. Following are the soft benefits of upgrading to advanced safety trucks:

• Newer trucks are safer

That said, the new trucks and tractors come with the most advanced safety features and technology to keep both the fleet and driver at safety. Use of old and conventional trucks can create a huge expense in terms of maintenance and wear-and-tear. The possibility of truck-crash is also high while using an old truck. 

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), almost half of two-vehicle crashes from 2012-2014 were rear-ended collisions. Among them, 87% were as a result of drivers not paying attention to the traffic ahead. The 2015 NTSB study found that collision avoidance systems could have been prevented 1700 fatal rear-end collisions annually. 

• Drivers prefer new trucks.

When it comes to technology operation, everyone likes to get upgraded. Same is the case with drivers. Drivers prefer newer trucks that simplify the driving process and lets the driver drive at ease. Truck fleet upgrades provide a valuable sign-on bonus for companies that need to hire drivers. Installing new trucks will lessen the driver’s motivation to jump to other employers, reducing the fleet operator’s training costs. 

• Improved customer service

Upgrading to an advanced safety truck also helps improve the customer satisfaction rates as there will be reduced delays and enhanced corporate image. Also, with improved customer service, the company aims at benefitting the drivers, which helps them have a better attitude when making deliveries. As a result, reduced damage to both property and freight is ensured. 

• Enhanced sustainability

Companies of 2020 aim at building a business with reduced or zero carbon footprint. Each new step of the company is initiated to boost its commitment to sustainability. Switching to a new truck with the latest safety features reduces carbon emissions. Like for instance a 2015 model truck upgrading to a 2020 model truck will have reduced carbon dioxide by 126 metric tons and nitrogen oxides by 12% per year. Newer trucks have lighter components and are powered by an energy-efficient fuel system that reduces hazmat disposal.

Truck Transportation Safety Stats

• The Safety First Program for truck transportation aims at helping the transportation fleets to upgrade to newer trucks with the latest safety features.
• The company’s specification experts then work with the fleet to design new trucks for maximum safety, fuel efficiency, lowest maintenance and highest resale values. These include advanced safety features in each specification beyond the standard OEM features. They also work with the OEMs and truck vendors to achieve this at minimum cost. 
• Over the past ten years, heavy-duty truck fatalities have reached at crash settlements reaching to $20 – $200 million. Stats show that new safety measures and features reduce collisions by 22% and improve government published safety records. 

What Are The Safety technologies implemented in trucks?

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Collision avoidance 
• Lane departure warning
• Front and rear disc brakes
• Bluetooth
• Forward-facing cameras
• In-cab cameras
• Blindspot mirrors
• Lane steering correction
• Adaptive cruise control
• Turn radius improvement
• The automatic emergency braking system
• Opt-in for standard OEM spec

Are autonomous trucks the only solution for safety compliant transportation fleets?

Compared to conventional trucks that are old and outdated, the new technology of trucks includes self-driving trucks that doesn’t require a driver to sit inside the cabin to monitor the driving. A techie of good knowledge in handling the control mechanism can operate an autonomous truck even from a remote location or far away from the truck location.

But are these driverless trucks the end to safety trucks? Surely not, but autonomous trucks are on the bucket list to be implemented by fleet companies in the near future. Apart from that, there are many intelligent smart solutions that are seen in the newer models of trucks, that simplify the driver’s job of reporting and driving at emergency times. And when it comes to technological upgradation and solutions in trucks, Matrack is one such company that provides reliable truck tracking solutions to protect your asset, trailer and driver.

Use of Autonomous trucks – survey findings

As per the statistical records and surveys conducted regarding the implementation of autonomous trucks for future transportation needs, the inputs received were of mixed opinions. 

• 62% of the people were possibly not expecting the use of autonomous trucks for another ten years. 
• 24% reported with a possible effect of autonomous trucks within 5-7 years.
• 3% had a mere possibility of implementing autonomous trucks within three years
• While 0% companies were currently not procuring autonomous trucks.

Inference

Although the pulse on industry demand for electric and autonomous trucks are on the high end, the practicability of implementing electric trucks need another 7-8 years minimum to get them on track. Being a heavy-duty truck that carries heavy goods, it is essential to keep track of the assets, driver and truck safety – in every aspect in mind. Thanks to the modern technological systems of ELD (Electronic Logging Device) and Asset GPS trackers that the fleet managers no longer need to worry about the status of the fleet. 

Matrack – the reliable leaders in asset tracking and fleet management

Not every fleet companies are keen on meeting the needs of their drivers. Providing drivers with modern and sophisticated truck driving solutions, help drivers motivate themselves and work productively towards meeting customer requirements. The Matrack GPS trackers and asset GPS trackers are the best-in-class GPS trackers to monitor your fleet’s status and condition. With updated status and notification system, the Matrack GPS tracker lets both the fleet managers and customers get a clear idea about their assets and ordered items. 

When most of the truck crashes are due to the negligence of the driver in following the traffic and driving rules, Matrack lets the fleet companies install ELD that helps in timely logging of driving log-in time by the driver. The voice-based ELD status changes of the Matrack is FMCSA approved and DOT compliant. Going for an intelligent and automated solution for IFTA compliance saves your hours in filing fuel tax reports and minimizing the costly errors. Thanks to the advanced technological systems inbuilt in Matrack’s mobile tracking solutions that you can conveniently take care of all your trucking needs.