Electronics In Vehicles

WHERE DOES THE DRIVER FIT IN?

Cars and even trucks are offering an increasing array of electronic systems and many of those are aimed at making driving safer. For years anti-lock brakes have been standard. Now there are systems that will warn if following distance gets too close, if the vehicle begins to depart from its lane, and even if a rollover is imminent. In many cases the system takes over to avoid a crash.

Another emerging technology is truck “platooning”. This is a system of communication between vehicles that allows the trucks to follow each other safely with a greatly
reduced following distance. Tests have shown that this reduces fuel consumption. However, the driver is still in control.

So where is the driver in all of this? Basically in the same place he or she has always been: in charge of the vehicle making critical driving decisions. The principles of defensive driving are just as important as ever and it’s really up to the driver to avoid getting into a situation where the electronics take over.

In fact it might even be argued that some of the emerging technologies may make defensive driving even more important. For example, if you’re coming down an entrance ramp and a group of “platooning” trucks is passing by, there may not be enough room for you to safely merge. Also, more and more states are allowing autonomous vehicles onto the highways for testing purposes. Although still manned, if the vehicle fails to take appropriate action, you may have to take defensive action to avoid a crash.

During 2016 there was quite a bit of publicity regarding autonomous vehicles. The developers say that when perfected a driver won’t be needed. If fact the first commercial load hauled anywhere in the world occurred in Colorado. A Volvo tractor modified by Otto, a company owned by Uber, hauled a load of Budweiser beer from Denver to Colorado Springs. The driver drove the truck from the loading point to the interstate. At that point the system was engaged and for the next 70 miles “Otto” was in control with no driver input. The system was then disengaged so the driver could exit I 25 and navigate the city streets to the final destination.

Looking even further down the road, the DOT is proposing standards for what will become a V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) Communication System. Right now it’s being proposed for cars but would eventually be phased in for trucks.

Looking even further down the road, the DOT is proposing standards for what will become a V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) Communication System. Right now it’s being proposed for cars but would eventually be phased in for trucks.

The V2V technology shares data with surrounding vehicles regarding speed, direction and gps position and will be programmed to take action to avoid a crash. DOT estimates it could take five years just to put together a final rule so widespread use of this technology is well into the future.

The years ahead will be challenging as well as interesting as these technologies emerge. However, one thing continues to remain constant: drivers still need to be attentive, make good defensive driving decisions, and watchful for others who do not.

CVSA Operation Safe Driver

TARGETED UNSAFE DRIVING BEHAVIORS

October’s Operation Safe Driver was the ninth time CVSA has sponsored this annual safe driving program. As is common with most CVSA events there was a theme and that was to target unsafe driving behaviors. What is different about this program is that it targets cars as well as professional truck and bus drivers.

During the event 20,648 citations and warnings were issued. The enforcement blitz was split fairly evenly with cars receiving 47% of the attention and commercial vehicles the balance. The majority of the activity was in the
U.S. with Canada contributing less than 1,000 citations and warnings.

This past year data was released that studied the correlation between roadside inspections and accident frequency. The data showed that over the past ten years a large increase in roadside inspections has taken place, but there has not been a significant reduction in crash frequency for commercial vehicles thus bringing into question the effectiveness of the roadside inspection program.

Some people have speculated that a better way to influence crash statistics is to focus on driver behavior, and that’s what Operation Safe Driver does. Technology is playing an ever increasing role in vehicle operation with an increasing array of safety related systems, but the driver is still ultimately in control. Defensive driving remains just as important as it has always been.

In addition, seven trucks were cited for failure to stop at a railroad crossing while transporting a haz mat load. One bus driver was cited for failure to stop at a railroad crossing.

As a group, the car drivers were cited twice as frequently for speeding, but their handheld phone usage of 1% was half the frequency of commercial vehicles.

You can count on us to provide expert guidance to keep your safety and compliance programs on track.

Ryan Billet
National Transportation Consultants, Inc.