Technology has changed a lot of industries, but one that it’s had a particularly big effect on is the trucking industry. Almost every car or truck on the road these days have some level of automation or technology in it, and trucks are no exception. Truck drivers have been using technology to help them do their jobs for years. Sometimes no matter how careful a driver is, the road will call for someone to make a mistake. In case of an accident, a driver needs to contact a lawyer to help with the legal side of things. Denver Truck Accident Attorneys are experts at handling cases where the truck driver is considered a party. These are some ways that technology helps big-rig trucks stay safe on the road.
GPS Tracking Systems
One of the most important developments in the trucking industry has been GPS tracking systems. These systems are used to track a truck, which helps prevent crashes and keep drivers on schedule. Because of these systems, we now know that around 12% of truck accidents are due to driver fatigue, which is down from nearly 30% without these systems. They also help companies reduce fuel costs by knowing when to adjust their routes to take the most direct or cheapest route. GPS helps the driver stay on the best path and can even alert them when they approach a dangerous intersection or low overpass.
Lane Departure Warning Systems
Lane departure warning systems are similar to GPS tracking systems, but they focus more on preventing accidents than helping drivers. These systems will alert the driver if he begins to drift out of his lane, preventing head-on collisions and other accidents. Because of this, truck companies have been installing these systems in more and more of their vehicles.
Automatic Transmission
The absolute development in this technological revolution has been automatic transmissions. They use technology to help manage the car’s speed, which can prevent accidents or help drivers avoid them altogether. In the past, drivers would shift the gears manually, but now they can use electronics to keep their speed under control at all times. It prevents accidents and helps reduce fuel consumption as well as maintenance costs.
Telematics
Another revolution that has changed trucking is telematics, which uses wireless technology to communicate with a driver or company. Many companies now rely on telematics to help track their drivers’ movements and their trucks. That way, they can be sure that they’re delivering all of their cargo on time and that no one runs out of fuel or breaks down in a bad area. These systems help facilitate easy communication between truck drivers, dispatchers, and customers so that all of the information is available with a few taps on a computer.
Electronic Logging Devices
The devices above have made a huge impact in trucking and the industry as a whole, but the addition of electronic logging devices will change things even more. These systems track and display information about a truck’s speed, distance, hours, location, and other details through an internet connection. They can even set speed limits for trucks to follow based on the kind of load they’re hauling or the condition of their brakes. This help drivers have constant feedback about the conditions of their truck. It can also help companies monitor drivers’ hours, which is especially important for truck drivers who have to follow strict rules around their service hours. It creates an even safer environment for everyone involved.
4G Connectivity
There are still some challenges with these new technologies, though, and one of the biggest is that they need a lot of power and connectivity. Many trucking companies are still using 2G systems, which are too slow to provide updates every second and cannot connect through even a small amount of interference. As more companies upgrade their systems, this will become less of an issue, but until then, the 4G networks will be very important for these devices to function properly.
In conclusion, technology has changed the trucking industry for the better. These improvements have helped make the trucks more efficient, and they’ve even reduced the number of accidents that happen each year. It’s pretty clear that technology has had a huge impact on this industry, and it’s likely to continue to grow in importance as we move into a tech-rich future.
