Now I know you all think that we Europeans are streets ahead of the Americans when it comes to vehicle technology but don't you believe it because word reaches Biglorrybog that Volvo Trucks North America has been proudly showing off this VT880 tractor loaded up with all sorts of clever kit at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems in New York which is currently running until 20th November. Check out the website at www.itsworldcongress.org. The bright yellow Volvo VT 880 highway tractor pictured above is part of the Trusted Truck® partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Transportation Research Center, Inc. and Volvo Technology Corp and I have VTNA's PR supremo [he prefers 'PR Wallah' and who am I to argue] and keen Stateside Biglorryblog reader Jim McNamara to thank for the picture and the following information.
The 'Trusted Truck' is outfitted with a whole passel of on-board systems to monitor and relay important vehicle safety information such as brake condition and other critical performance factors from the vehicle to roadside or mobile monitors. And interestingly, Volvo says: "This demonstration technology allows trucks deemed safe and 'trusted' to bypass inspection stations so inspectors can focus on trucks that might be unsafe." Now that IS a good idea reckons BLB... Now click through here for more.
Jim tells me that the Volvo VT 880 is also equipped with Volvo Link, an integrated onboard communications system that is standard equipment on all Volvo trucks sold in North America. The system allows drivers and fleet managers to communicate, and the operational condition of the truck to be remotely monitored and assessed.
In addition to the VT880 at the ITS bunfight, Volvo also has an Integrated Safety Truck (IST). [BLB UPDATE in fact Jim tells me they didn't actually have the truck there but provided details on it.] Basically it's a Volvo FH tractor featuring a number of safety systems including some I know of and others that are new as far as I'm concerned. they are (in no particular order) active steering for lane keeping and lane change support; driver warnings through steering wheel vibration (that's a new one on BLB---Martin P, have you heard of this?) as well as systems to detect obstacles immediately in front of truck at startup, preventing the truck's movement. Other goodies blind spot and near obstacle detection systems and a driver warning of excessive speed when approaching curves.
Other safety systems on show include Volvo 's recently launched Driver Alert Support and ignition Alcolock (Volvo was the first truck manufacturer to offer a factory-installed Alcolock) as the Swede's very own Dynafleet which is now also available with Security Service where, In the event of an emergency situation, the driver can contact a special center via an alarm button in the truck or via mobile phone. The emergency center constantly monitors the truck's location and can immediately notify police.
Last but not least there's Fuelwatch which is Volvo Trucks' comprehensive approach to squeeze every possible mile out of each drop of fuel, encompassing vehicle speccing, maintenance, performance monitoring and driver behavior. Central to obtaining optimal driver behavior is the analysis of logged vehicle data, which is extremely detailed information on vehicle performance and operation downloaded from the engine's electronic control unit. This analysis can then be used to coach and train drivers in maximum fuel economy driving techniques.
Putting it all into some kind of US/European perspective Jim says: On the Trusted Truck (i.e. the VT880), the technologies mentioned above aren't easily seen -- Volvo Link operates through the driver information display. This level of integration is one of its most impressive features to customers. The Trusted Truck technology is simply telemetry. It's not like the IST, which has all those shiny technobits hanging from it. The other items in the release (Alcolock, DAS) are not offered in North America. And of course Fuelwatch in this market is tailored for a North American operating environment; we recently had a second media event in Greensboro on Fuelwatch to go into much greater depth on how we use 'Logged Vehicle Data' from the engine ECU to give fleets extremely detailed and customised counselling to improve fuel economy. It's probably somewhat different from the Fuelwatch indoctrination you've been subjected to. Cheers, Jim."
Well thanks for that JM I can't help thinking that I missed an interesting show!
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