Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/540088
1 0 | B U L L D O G | 2 0 1 5 V 2 How a fleet specs its vehicles can have a direct impact on safety. Beyond the base- line things that are mandated by federal and state law, "it really is up to the individual carriers as to how far above and beyond they want to go," says Brian Lagana, executive director of the American Trucking Associations' Safety Management Council. There are the currently mandated or soon- to-be-mandated technologies such as elec- tronic logging devices, speed limiters, stability control systems, and employer notifi- cation systems. Then there are the voluntary add-ons that aren't mandated but go a long way toward further enhancing safety. This includes things like video event recorders, blind spot warning systems, on-board colli- sion warning systems, and forward collision avoidance and mitigation systems. Florida Rock & Tank Lines primarily trans- ports petroleum products in the Southeast, and Anderson says rollovers are a big con- cern in the tank truck industry. For that rea- son, he says, Florida Rock & Tank embraced roll stability control systems early on. "When this technology became available, I went to a testing facility and participated in a demonstration," Anderson says. "If I could have equipped all of our trucks the next day with it, I would have done it." Mack has been offering roll stability on its trucks since 2006, and it has been a standard part of Florida Rock & Tank's spec ever since. But Anderson says, it is not always the newest technology that can make the fleet safer. "It can be something simpler like where the mirrors are located," he explains. Florida Rock has added fender mounted tripod style spot mirrors on the left and right sides of the trucks to give drivers more visibility. Toronto-based, ready-mix feet Innocon has developed several of its own safety products. The first is called a Hydras, which is a hydrau- lic rotary-actuated swivel for the rear chute of its mixer trucks. "Normally this is controlled by hand," says Andy Ludwik, fleet manager, "but by having it done hydraulically, we've basically eliminated all our shoulder, upper body and lower back injuries." Innocon's commitment to safety extends beyond making sure its own employees are safe. Ludwik also designed the Guardian, a panel that covers the drive wheels and bars that go between the drive axle and the second steer axle to prevent cyclists and pedestrians from going within the perimeter of the truck. "There are more trucks and cyclists sharing the road, and therefore the potential for more accidents," Ludwik explains. "These acci- dents often occur when trucks are trying to make a right hand turn at a light and the cyclist wants to go straight," he says, "so we designed the Guardian to prevent the cyclist from falling into the drive wheels." After an initial pilot program, the Guardian is being installed throughout the fleet. Safety improvements can also offer signifi- cant cost savings, says Stan St. Clair, opera- tions manager at Portland-based McCracken Motor Freight. For example, he says, auto- mated transmissions (such as the Mack mDRIVE™) can provide a combination of both safety and fuel economy benefits. Eliminating the need to shift gives drivers "one less thing that they have to be mindful of whenever they are driving and watching traf- fic and having to concentrate," he says. The most important thing to remember, Anderson says, is that the journey to safety is never finished. "No matter what you have done to improve your safety program, you can never stop learning," Anderson says. "You can never stop exploring other opportunities or technologies that will make you safer." After all, business leader Brian Fielkow says, "Safety is not a cost. It's a strategic choice." 10 PROVEN SAFETY SYSTEMS Stuart Russoli, highway marketing manager for Mack Trucks, says there are a multitude of ways to help improve driving safety. This checklist touches on the basics and many of the items listed are available today with even higher technology updates. Back-up alarms and camera Daytime running lights RH door peep window Fender mirrors and RH door down-facing mirror Automatic Traction Control Vorad side warning systems Road stability advantage (ABS, ATC and yaw sensors to detect and control possible rollover and jackknife situations) Collision warning systems Collision warning with active cruise Driver training on all new technology COVER STORY Innocon designed the Guardian, a safety device to protect cyclists and pedestrians from injury, and installed it on their Mack Granite. Spec for safety