Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/493405
58 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | APRIL 2015 I t's a cliché to say that truck driving is a difficult job. But while working on the road is hard, living there may be even harder. Those realities are reflected in the current dearth of drivers coming into the industry. Both fleets and OEMs understand that using new technology to modernize truck interiors is one posi- tive step that can be made to entice new drivers and retain experi- enced ones. "Driver recruitment and retention are extremely important for trucking fleets and operators today," said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. "Kenworth made a significant investment to develop the Kenworth T680 and T880, our latest state-of-the-art flagship on-highway and vocational trucks, respectively. During the design process, we welcomed extensive fleet and driver input on what they wanted in Kenworth's next-generation trucks. Both the T680 and T880 were designed with driver productivity and comfort in mind." The fleet's quality and condition play a significant role in attract- ing and retaining drivers, says Anthony Gansle, on-highway prod- uct marketing manager for Peterbilt. "Well-maintained premium equipment can help to recruit and keep the best drivers," Gansle says. "Peterbilt has always made driver comfort and productivity top priorities in cab and sleeper designs. During the development pro- cess, we conduct extensive research and benchmarking to optimize ergonomics, storage, lighting, climate control and driver comfort features." Back in the day Since the introduction of vehicles, cab interiors and sleeper berths have evolved alongside the passenger car segment. But in the early days, driver comfort either was an afterthought or ignored outright. By the 1970s, serious design efforts were being made to offer comfortable, stylish cab interiors, and that effort continues today, Next-generation truck interiors will transform the way drivers work and live on the road – good news for fleets working to keep them BY JACK ROBERTS Truck OEMs are focusing on designing dashboards with high-visibility displays to consolidate a variety of information and minimize driver distraction.