Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/493405
60 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | APRIL 2015 EQUIPMENT: DRIVER COMFORT "This includes collision avoid- ance, cruise control, transmission gear se- lection and gauges," Ito says. "Fleets consistently tell us they want to mini- mize and manage driver distractions. So we have to strike a balance between important informa- tion and overkill." Cary says today's drivers already have infotainment systems and driver information centers where they can choose the data they want to see – in other words, what is most important to them. He points to Mack's Co-Pilot Driver Information Display, which provides dozens of easy-to-read driver-selectable information options. "Any such display must be easy to read at a glance so drivers can keep their attention on the road," he says. "Most of all, it must be kept simple. If you are forced to stare or overscan your gauges too often, your attention is not on the road where it belongs." Likewise, an overabundance of information can result in sensory overload – which Cary says is of no benefit. "The driver needs to simply oper- ate the truck with minimal distractions using only the information to operate safely." Spence says connectivity already is a consideration in Volvo's designs – especially as it applies to uptime and Volvo Remote Di- agnostics – and will become even more important as the company responds to the future driver environment. "Managing driver information is key to limiting driver distrac- tion," he says. "Providing the correct information to the driver while allowing back-office applications to collect necessary information on the trucks is part of Volvo's strategy for uptime services. We are already seeing more and more powerful computers and displays on trucks, and this trend will continue in trucking as it has in automo- tive." Ito agrees that trucking's connectivity evolution is already here. "Navistar is working with 10 different telematics providers to offer the greatest amount of choice and flexibility to our customers," he says. "Continued evolution of our cabs is an area of intense focus." Other primary considerations at Navistar include electronic log adoption, the company's OnCommand Connection to link the truck directly to its service network and personal use devices. Another possibility in the near future is a move away from traditional gauges and instrument clusters toward more animated information systems. Aufdemberg says Freightliner engi- neers view the truck and powertrain as one integrated sys- tem and are design- ing ways to provide the information that drivers need on demand and in real time in an integrated manner, rather than relying on gauges that monitor every- thing individually. "Real-time in- formation feedback to the driver is becoming more commonplace, with systems such as collision mitigation, lane departure, hard braking and real-time traffic and weather conditions, to name a few," she says. "These systems have varying levels of feedback ranging from simple visual and audible warnings to safely taking control of the vehicle." For Peterbilt, connectivity also remains a focal point, Gansle says. "Peterbilt continues to add new functionality and features while integrating information systems," he says. "Our in-dash infotain- ment system, SmartNav, was recently enhanced with new produc- tivity, safety and convenience features. We've expanded the array of virtual gauges, made safety cameras activate automatically when the truck is put in reverse or turn signals are engaged, and improved hands-free calling and optional real-time traffic and fuel price information." Gansle says Peterbilt took another significant step forward in connectivity with its new SmartLinq system. The factory-installed fully integrated remote diagnostics system is designed to maximize uptime with new technologies that create full vehicle connectivity between customers and dealers. "Along with SmartLinq, we expanded the functionality of our onboard diagnostics," he says. "The new system provides the driver more comprehensive detailed diagnostic information through the truck's in-dash driver information center." Ito says that with an emphasis on minimizing driver distraction, the information a driver needs must be centralized with prime visibility in a single optimized display so that it is easy to see while driving. "At Navistar, there will likely be more consolidation of displays to minimize driver distraction and an increased ability to configure what the driver sees," he says. "This will, in turn, lead to program- mable driver information systems. Alerts will be programmable so drivers can prioritize what they want to see." In terms of sleeper dimensions, the industry is seeing improvements with better use of limited space, rather than just making trucks larger.