Feature: Fleet Technologies
Innovative Technologies Revolutionizing Fleet Operations
Trucking has come a long way, as evidenced by the four state-of-the-art tractors on display at the 2019 Accelerate! Conference & Expo.
Attendees got a first-hand look at the latest trucking technologies during the annual Truck/ Technology Tour. Here are just a few of the innovative features helping to improve safety, increase efficiency and enhance driver comfort.
Safety First Freightliner’s Cascadia 2020 provides advanced safety features with Detroit™ Assurance® 5.0, including active brake assist. If a moving pedestrian enters the truck’s path, input from the radar and camera sensors warns the driver with visual and audible warnings and institutes partial emergency braking. If the driver doesn’t take action, full emergency braking brings the truck to a complete stop.
Onboard Assistance The Driver Technology Suite in Kenworth’s T680 includes a collision mitigation system, lane departure system and side object detection help to improve safety on the road. Predictive cruise control uses GPS data to anticipate uphill and downhill slopes, selecting the ideal speed and acceleration during the route. 30 REDEFINING THE ROAD Edition 3 | 2019
Diagnostics on the Road If an issue arises on the road, the GuardDog® Connect system in Mack’s Anthem detects the problem instantly and calls it in to a 24/7 network of support staff and repair centers. If the problem needs immediate attention, the system provides the fault code so that technicians can identify the specific issue and necessary repairs. All necessary information is forwarded to the dealer and technicians to get trucks back on the road quickly.
Low-Cost, Low-Impact Comfort The Peterbilt Model 579 UltraLoft offers a number of technological advances, including the SmartAir™ system. This enables drivers to heat or cool their vehicles without using truck power or burning fuel. The battery powered function can keep a sleeper cool and comfortable for up to 10 hours at a stretch. At the same time, the no-idle climate-control system lowers fuel costs and cuts emissions. n
