Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/741843
10 commercial carrier journal | october 2016 JOURNAL NEWS DOT initiates regulatory framework for autonomous trucks, automobiles T he U.S. Department of Transportation on Sept. 20 issued a regulatory framework for vehicle manufac- turers, state regulators and other stakeholders regarding the develop- ment and deployment of autonomous trucks and cars. The proposed policy initiative comes as both traditional automotive makers and technology giants march increasingly closer to readying self-driving vehicles for public use. The 114-page document is intended to set safety standards for compa- nies developing self-driving vehicles and establish a unified national vehi- cle automation policy. DOT said its Federal Automated Vehicles Policy was compiled to help hasten the development of autonomous vehicles while also addressing safety issues "at the front end of development." The proposed guidelines would set a "15-Point Safety Assessment" that would require manufacturers to submit a notice to DOT stating their autonomous vehicles meet certain specifications regarding crashworthi- ness, cybersecurity, safety systems, privacy, data recording and ethics. "There are huge upsides and significant challenges that come with auto- mated vehicle technology, and we will continue the conversation with the public over the coming months and years as this technology develops," said DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Automated vehicles have the potential to save thousands of lives, driving the single biggest leap in road safety that our country has ever taken." More than 35,000 people were killed in the United States in car crashes last year, and more than 94 percent of the crashes were caused by "a human choice or error," said Mark Rosekind, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition to the safety assessments established by the policy, DOT also would set roles relative to autonomous vehicles for federal and state governments. The federal government would retain control over setting vehicle standards and enforcing compliance with such standards, along with managing recalls. States would, similar to their current duties with nonautonomous vehicles, be responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles, establishing and enforcing traffic laws, conducting inspections and regulating vehicle insurance. DOT and NHTSA will be accepting public comment on the proposal for 60 days following its publication in the Federal Register. – James Jaillet If I use thinner oils will my engine still be protected? The ability of engine oil to prevent wear by keeping moving parts separated is one of the key functions that it has to perform. That ability comes from the fluid viscosity and the additives which protect the metal surfaces. The thickness of the oil film which separates the moving parts is dependent on the viscosity of the oil and it will also depend on the speed and load of the engine operation. If oil is too thin to provide effective separation between moving parts or does not effectively control contaminants, this could result in increased wear through the contact of metal parts or abrasive wear, and could possibly shorten engine life. As truck and engine manufacturers are trying to achieve the maximum fuel economy for their equipment, the trend is to use lighter viscosity oils to assist in reducing fuel consumption. These full synthetic or synthetic blend oils are expected to provide fuel economy benefits, but not compromise on engine durability. Through extensive testing on synthetic blend Shell Rotella ® T5 10W-30, Shell has demonstrated a 1.6% fuel economy improvement benefit vs. conventional 15W-40* with no compromise on durability. Manufacturers develop their engines to operate efficiently with specific viscosity grades, so you should check with them to see which viscosity grades they allow and/or any specific conditions such as ambient temperature, which may influence the use of those viscosity grades. The SAE and API have established minimum requirements for lighter viscosity oils which should allow for effective protection of key engine parts. A number of diesel engine manufacturers recommend lower viscosity lubricants in their newest engines, and the move to lower viscosity lubricants is reinforced by the announcement that one of the focus areas for the next generation of heavy-duty diesel engine oils will be fuel economy improvements, which lower viscosity oils have demonstrated the ability to provide. This is particularly important as the first-ever fuel economy regulations for heavy trucks will begin in 2014. Synthetic engine oil also can help keep the engine clean through improved sludge, deposit and varnish protection, and helps reduce overall engine wear under extreme operating conditions. Synthetic engine oils typically have more stable viscosity and provide better protection when the engine is running under high-temperature conditions, such as high speeds and heavy loads. * as demonstrated in 2009 on-the-road field testing for 10W-30 viscosity grade only, highway cycles, compared to Shell Rotella ® T Triple Protection ® 15W-40. The term "Shell Lubricants" refers to the various Shell Group companies engaged in the lubricants business. This monthly column is brought to you by Shell Lubricants. Got a question? Visit ROTELLA.com, call 1-800-237-6950 or write to The ANSWER COLUMN, 1001 Fannin, Ste. 500, Houston, TX 77002. By Dan Arcy Shell Lubricants Untitled-5 1 11/9/15 9:07 AM ZF's Highway Driver Assist is an autonomous system that enables the truck to pilot itself in on-highway driving.