The trucking industry is a cornerstone of the American economy. Transportation by truck is more common than by train, ship, or plane. In addition, the US Census Bureau reports that truck driving is the most popular profession in 29 of the 50 states. Every year in the United States, there are over 500,000 truck accidents, with around 5,000 fatalities. These mishaps happen more frequently on country roads, and unexpectedly, they are more likely to occur on dry roads and in fair weather.
While automobiles are the primary cause of these collisions (81%), other common factors include driver weariness and reckless driving. Defects in the truck’s steering wheel, brakes, tires, or engine can all increase the risk of an accident. Every year, this causes the deaths of about 700 truck drivers and 3,700 other motorists and passengers. Thankfully, as transportation technology advances, so do the standards that ensure the safety of truck drivers and other motorists on the road. Here are some of the most cutting-edge innovations that fleet managers could benefit from purchasing now.
- Vehicle warning devices
Truck drivers are limited to 11 hours a day by federal law. Yet research shows that many motorists deliberately ignore this regulation. Furthermore, driver weariness still happens even among those who adhere to all the rules and regulations.
For this reason, driver alert systems can be crucial in avoiding fatigue-related collisions. With algorithms, “smarter” technology can more reliably detect drowsy driving and alert drivers to take a break. For example, a driver sleepiness monitoring system takes into account the time of day, the number of times the turn signal is used, the duration of the trip, and the driver’s steering behavior over time to determine how sleepy the driver is, check out Factors That Lead to Trucking Accidents Infographic, Long stretches of inactivity followed by sharp wheel turns could be an indication that the motorist nodded off and needed to make a quick course correction to stay in their lane. Similar ingenuity can be seen in other technologies. Some monitors are headgear or bracelets; others use front-facing cameras and biodata, including a driver’s age, weight, and average hours of sleep per night.
- Systems for preventing and avoiding collisions in front
On the other hand, forward collision warning and mitigation systems are designed to prevent accidents brought on by driver distraction by sounding an alarm if a car is following too closely behind another. This is achieved with the help of cameras and LiDAR-based sensor technology.
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology uses pulsed lasers to determine spatial separation. LiDAR sensors’ printed circuit boards are designed using a unified platform datasheet with multiple high-end MCAD, ECAD, and electronic simulation tools. Despite the complexity and power levels required to produce light-sensing technologies, every piece of LiDAR hardware may be manufactured with this straightforward schematic platform to avoid functional limits.
There is a wide range of applications for LiDAR. While Knightscope, Inc. of California builds completely autonomous security robots that use LiDAR to detect threats, companies like Geodetics equip drones with LiDAR to create accurate maps.
Some devices that utilize the warning mentioned above system go above and beyond by integrating capabilities like automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane assist and lane keeping technology for course correction, and adaptive cruise control (ACC), in addition to LiDAR technology.
ACC provides additional protection against collisions from behind. This updated version of a feature that has been standard on automobiles since the 1950s helps slow down the car in front of it if it gets too close. Although the ACC is often sold separately, some manufacturers, like Acura, have introduced vehicles with built-in ACC alongside conventional forward collision warning and mitigation technology.
- Controlled sway using electronic means
However, ESC can help identify vehicle problems that may increase the likelihood of an accident. That’s why the NHTSA mandated installation in all cars manufactured after 2012 for everyone’s safety.
- Viewfinders in the rear
Drivers of heavy vehicles, particularly, are at risk because of visual impairments. The use of cameras provides a straightforward answer. Cameras help drivers evaluate blind areas by showing them what’s behind the truck in real-time. Rosco Vision, a company that focuses on offering fleets innovative and high-quality safety products, does this by installing three cameras on the back and sides of the truck. The resulting video and audio are synced and displayed high definition on a single LCD monitor.
Other systems, such as those made by Rearview Systems, allow drivers to view images at 120, 130, or 150 degrees and are resistant to weather and shock. In any case, these specialist cameras go well beyond the norm in their efforts to warn motorists about blind spots and similar dangers.
- The Role of AI in Improving Truck Safety
Preventing truck accidents rather than dealing with them after the fact is preferable. As a result, AI has quickly become indispensable to the fleet manager role. AI’s most promising applications are in personnel and fleet management. Artificial intelligence can assist in deriving critical insights from enormous pools of data acquired from the journeys of all the vehicles in a fleet. For instance, AI can analyze the actions of a fleet’s drivers to determine which ones are having trouble adhering to safety regulations and then suggest that they receive more training. The use of AI in self-driving vehicles, such as trucks, is also on the rise. And now, thanks to a 2019 trial done by startup business TuSimple, the idea is much closer to reality. In conclusion, the trucking industry can significantly improve safety and prevent accidents by implementing advanced technologies such as driver alert systems, collision prevention systems, electronic stability control, rearview cameras, and AI. By addressing factors like driver fatigue, vehicle defects, and limited visibility, fleet managers can prioritize safety and protect truck drivers and other motorists. Industry stakeholders must collaborate and promote a culture of safety to reduce trucking accidents and ensure the well-being of everyon
