CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
MAY 2014
2
S
afety will be an issue in most
industries for decades to come, but
trucking is one that continuously
receives criticism because there is more
public exposure to it by virtue of the chaos
a truck accident creates on our roads. If the
accident rate continues to increase in line
with truck travel then this will no doubt dent
the industry’s drive for greater community
and political respect.
Trucking is not the only area where safety
is paramount. Mining, construction and any
industries where mobile equipment is used
are presented with the challenge of keeping
the accident rate as low as possible
To curb the carnage, the initial reaction is
always to look at legislation by enforcing
ELECTRONICS PLAYS A KEY ROLE
in vehicle safety
COMMENT
“Financing flexibility
is another key area,
considering the economic
insecurity many business
people still feel.”
measures such as fatigue management,
under-run protection technologies to avoid
crashes and a myriad electronic gadgetry to
assist drivers.
The development of ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) for SUVs has been extremely
successful and we have seen the number
of vehicle accidents being halved. These
life saving systems sense what the driver is
trying to do and make sure that the vehicle
responds accordingly.
Over the years, steps by truck manufacturers
to achieve total chassis control in their
vehicles have been the main focus of their
vehicle development programmes following
closely in the footsteps of their motor car
counterparts. Having a well defined and
responsive chassis will keep the wheels of
the latest prime mover on the road under
most circumstances, but an unbalanced
trailer could nullify any moves by the driver
to engage whatever electronic aids he
may have on the truck to keep control and
prevent a rollover.
Having made that point, most new safety
technology is aimed squarely at reducing
the risk resulting from human failings, be
it poor loading, excessive speed or fatigue
behind the wheel. One thing is certain, if the
fleet manager doesn’t specify these options
in order to save costs, it will never happen.
Most manufacturers have a slew of safety
options for their vehicles but there is still
room for innovation. Possibly the simplest
and most effective displayed at all the
numerous new truck launches last year
was Volvo’s mirrors on the new FH, which
have been reduced from large rear-view
restricting pillars to a stripped down skeletal
design that still offers the same images but
without the bulk.
Development however, continues in the
area of safety and it was inevitable that
trailers would come under the spotlight for
the introduction of safety features as the
last clutch of the safety straw. The major
brake specialist companies have developed
technologies that equip trailers with braking
systems on par with the truck tractor and
are able to be connected electronically to
work in unison with the towing vehicle.
Legislation should not only focus on
emissions but also on mandatory measures
to ensure safety becomes a key element
in every vehicle sold, including advanced
emergency braking, electronic stability
control and even tyre pressure monitoring
devices. Let’s face it though, the human
element will be the most difficult to monitor
electronically.
