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06/04/2007 FMCSA Freebies
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed and made available on its website, a series of informative product guides that provide information on various safety and security systems available to the trucking industry. The product guides cover off-the-shelf technology that is currently available to fleet managers or owner operators. According to the FMCSA website the product guides are designed to “assist carriers, drivers, fleet managers, and other interested individuals to learn more about available safety and security systems.”
The FMCSA website currently has available information about the following categories of safety and security systems.
On-Board Safety Systems
On-Board Security Systems
For each listed category there is a description of the various types of systems that comprise that category, the functions of those systems, and a vendor list where interested parties may get further information directly from manufacturers or distributors.
FMCSA notes that the product guide page is a “work in progress and will be updated at regular intervals to ensure that the most recent information on security technologies is available. New product guides will be added as they are developed.”
The following is a brief overview of the types of information provided for each category of safety and security system listed by FMCSA.
Truck On-Board Safety Systems
- Collision Warning Systems With Adaptive Cruise Control – Examines forward looking radar-based warning systems which can signal a driver to a potential rear-end collision situation. Also looks at adaptive cruise control that integrates radar and video technologies and can maintain a set distance between a commercial motor vehicle and a vehicle ahead. Looks at costs, operations, and benefits. Lists 3 manufacturers.
- Lane Departure Warning Systems – Looks at forward-facing, video-based lane departure warning systems that will alert a driver to a potential lane departure situation. Examines performance with various types of lane markings and the effects of weather on these systems. Looks at costs, operations and benefits. Lists 5 manufacturers.
- Rear Object Detection Systems – Examines radar and ultrasonic systems which can detect objects or people behind a commercial motor vehicle in order to prevent accidents while backing up or parking. Looks at detection distances provided by various systems, driver warning displays and/or alarms, and the ability to add side and blind spot sensors. Examines costs of various types of systems and lists 6 product vendors.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems – Looks at different systems that provide drivers and/or fleet maintenance personnel the ability to visually detect low-pressure tires. Examines systems ranging from simple valve-stem indicators, to radio transmitter systems with remote-reading pressure displays. Analyzes costs, operations, and safety and economic benefits of various systems. Lists 15 manufacturers and vendors.
- Vehicle Stability Systems – Reviews the range of vehicle stability systems currently available including both passive and active systems. Examines systems that monitor lateral acceleration with the intent of reducing rollover and loss-of-control crashes. Contrasts roll stability advisor versus roll stability control systems and the benefits of each. Looks at electronic stability control systems that function in a similar manner to those in automobiles. Contrasts OEM and aftermarket systems and costs. Lists 3 manufacturers.
Truck On Board Security Systems
- Untethered Trailer Tracking Systems – Examines systems that can track, locate, identify and provide the status for untethered CMV trailers. Looks at available map and geo-location interfaces and the methods that the various systems use to communicate, i.e., satellite global positioning (GPS) or mobile cellular communications networks. Also examines internet-based geo-fencing options available with some systems. In addition the cargo monitoring abilities of certain types of systems are also reviewed. Applications, operations, costs and benefits of the differing systems are compared. Lists 12 vendors and manufacturers.
- Vehicle Disabling Systems – Analyzes the various types of vehicle disabling systems currently on the market. On-board systems that can be activated by the driver or the vehicle itself if certain parameters are met are reviewed, as are remote activated systems that can be controlled by dispatchers or other authorized personnel. Various types of driver authentication systems (password-PIN, biometric, etc.) are described. There is a limited mention of installation requirements, some systems require manufacturer-only installation for security reasons. Costs, operations, and security applications are considered. Lists 5 manufacturers providing systems with remote disabling technology, and 2 others providing non-remote disabling ability only.
- Mobile Communications Systems – Looks at mobile two-way communications and tracking systems based on GPS satellite and terrestrial cellular networks. Describes how basic mobile communications systems can be integrated with tracking, dispatching, routing, and vehicle surveillance systems. Includes information on systems that can monitor driver performance, hours-of-service, and vehicle maintenance requirements. Geo-fencing, trailer-tracking, and emergency notification and vehicle-disabling capabilities are also reviewed. Costs and operations of the various systems and options are examined, and a list of 12 vendors and manufacturers is provided.
Complete contact information for the vendors and manufacturers of the various systems, including websites where applicable, is provided on the FMCSA website.
To access the product guides go to the FMCSA homepage at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov, click on the “Facts and Research” tab at the top of the page, and then on the left-hand navigation bar click “Product Guides” found under “Systems Technology.” |
