Technology to improve safety standards
Technology can have a huge impact on truck driver safety and communication between drivers and back office teams. Artificial intelligence (AI) helps safety teams effectively and efficiently identify unsafe driver behavior to ensure compliance.
The pandemic has accelerated the use of technology. According to a recent study, 96% of network operators have switched to cloud-based systems. report from the FMCSA, which also found that adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technology has increased among both carriers and drivers.
Safety solutions can cover a wide range, from lane departure warning and rollover protection to collision mitigation and camera systems, telematics and dynamic speed management. The use of these safety tools is increasing, and in mass transit this is especially true for driver-facing cameras.
Driver-facing cameras should not be viewed as an invasion of driver privacy, but rather as an effective coaching tool that can identify and guide drivers on their routes in real time, as well as trigger event recordings to replay and analyze various situations. Fleets can select preferred camera configurations based on type, size and safety goals.
Many drivers I’ve spoken to who work with tank trucks point out that one of the benefits of using a camera pointed at the driver is to highlight and reward attentive behavior and good decisions. Recordings can also be used to train drivers for a variety of scenarios they may encounter on the road, or to raise awareness of the prevalence of unsafe behavior, such as using a mobile device or driving while drowsy.
By using artificial intelligence, driver-facing cameras can also help detect signs of fatigue or distraction behind the wheel and alert drivers and back-office staff so they can correct their behavior before an accident occurs, for example by stopping for a rest break.
The use of technology is an essential part of safety and the next generation of professional drivers are already accustomed to using modern safety technology in their personal vehicles – so why shouldn’t the same features be available in their truck?
Safety as a fundamental value
And finally, if I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a thousand times: safety is not just a priority for a fleet, it must be one of its core values as a company. Priorities change over time, but the value of safety does not.
This mindset starts with a safety-first culture where all team members believe in the importance of safety and encourage each other to constantly and consistently consider it in everything they do.
Gary Falldin is Senior Director of Industry Solutions at Trimble.
