The Future of Truck Safety Systems

Over the last few years, the technological developments in commercial trucking have been nothing short of remarkable, especially in terms of commercial truck safety.

From decades-old truck components to the most cutting-edge technical breakthroughs, safety technology has made our truck drivers and roads safer today and continues to do so for the future.

Below, we will take a close look at the future of truck safety systems and what they might look like in a few years.

Keep reading to discover more, and contact Strong Tie Insurance today if you are ready to start investing in the future of your commercial trucking company with cheap commercial insurance.

Advantages of Upgrading to Safety Technology

The developments in heavy-duty truck safety systems have been nothing short of remarkable in recent years.

Today’s safety technology has made our truck drivers and roads safer from decades-old truck components like brakes and tires—to the most cutting-edge technological breakthroughs like stability control and lane-departure systems.

The primary motivation for truck drivers to choose more modern trucks with cutting-edge equipment is to reduce tiredness and increase comfort. However, it also enables trucking companies to attract new drivers with modern trucks rather than relying on costly sign-on bonuses.

Furthermore, replacing your older trucks with newer models improves client satisfaction by reducing delays and enhancing your company’s image. All thanks to the equipment and safety technology onboard, drivers will have a better attitude at the time of delivery, and there will be less freight and property damage.

12 Advanced Technology Driver Assistance Systems to Consider Installing

While some of these systems appear futuristic, technology progress is rapid, and we’ve only seen the beginning of what’s to come.

Let’s take a look at some of the technology that is used to keep truckers safe on the road.

Blind-Spot Monitoring

Blind-spot monitoring employs cameras or sensors to detect and warn drivers about objects in their field of vision that are obscuring their view.

The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) frequently incorporates sensor-based blind-spot monitors into the vehicle. Any commercial vehicle can be equipped with camera-based blind-spot monitors, which include exterior cameras mounted to the side or back of the vehicle.

Forward Video Monitoring

Forward video monitoring captures real-time driving footage using forward-facing dash cams, which mount to a vehicle’s windscreen and record the road ahead.

This footage can be utilized to teach drivers, curb high-risk habits, and exonerate your drivers in accidents where they were not at fault.

Collision Avoidance Warning Systems

Collision avoidance is a broad category of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that can help drivers avoid collisions. Forward collision warning (FCW) and automated emergency braking (AEB) are two of the most prominent collision avoidance systems (AEB).

FCW monitors the distance, angle, and relative speed between vehicles or other objects on the road to warn drivers of potential crashes. To help avoid an accident, AEB automatically applies the brakes.

Lane Departure Warning

Lane departure warning (LDW) employs video, laser, or infrared sensors to detect lane lines and advise the driver (typically by auditory or visual alerts) if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without signaling.

Lane-keeping assist (LKA) is a feature of some LDW systems that can take control of the truck to keep it in its lane.

Air Disc Brakes

Air disc brakes are a type of brake that can deliver constant pressure, allowing cars to come to a complete stop more quickly.

Air disc brakes can cut stopping distance by over 40%, making them a desirable new technology for heavy truck fleets.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) detects the distance between vehicles using radar or laser sensors and automatically adjusts the speed of the truck to maintain a safe following distance.

Electronic Stability Control

Sensors are used by electronic stability control (ESC) to detect loss of steering control, which might occur after an intense maneuver like turning sharply to avoid a collision. To help course-correct the vehicle and avoid spinning out, ESC automatically applies brakes to individual wheels.

GPS Tracking System

Investing in GPS technology can benefit the trucking sector by allowing the company to manage its fleet of trucks more accurately, cost-effectively, and more efficiently. It has a long list of advantages, such as fleet management, which allows the organization to collect real-time data on the whereabouts of each vehicle and virtually arrange a route or cancel delivery.

Above all, designing an app with GPS tracking on a cheap budget can boost efficiency and flexibility.

Telematics System

Telematics technology is critical for a successful fleet operation, from sending data remotely to providing visibility into operations. Diverse industries have benefited and improved their communication skills, efficiency, and customer service with the use of this technology.

Telematics technology has a number of benefits, including improved customer service, lower labor, fuel, and other operating costs, increased productivity, reduced use of unlicensed cars, and improved fleet security and safety.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)

Drivers and trucking businesses can handle hours of service (HOS) obligations with the help of an electronic logging device (ELD). Handwritten logbooks have primarily been used in the transportation industry for decades to ensure compliance with HOS requirements, lowering the number of weary drivers on the road.

On the other hand, ELD’s connect to the truck engine, allowing fleet owners to now track the vehicle-driven at its exact time and keep track of all ELD data, including logs, IFTA, IRP, and inspections, and automatically audits the information.

Autonomous Truck Platooning Technology

Platooning technology incorporates numerous trucks that are connected for some stages of a journey, such as on highways, and automatically maintains a predefined, tight distance between them.

Drivers will retain control at all times in the beginning, so they can choose to quit the platoon and drive alone. In a nutshell, it functions as an auto-pilot mode.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which evolved from active safety systems, are a type of safety technology that aims to improve the driver’s experience and comfort.

Active steering, for example, is a safety and fatigue-reduction technology that provides micro-steering capabilities by making minor adjustments to the steering wheel, which is most noticeable at low speeds and when backing up.

Invest in Your Future with Strong Tie Insurance

Commercial truck driving is a dangerous job. Fortunately, a range of safety technologies is available to help drivers improve their understanding of safe driving habits and increase their awareness of the road.

If your commercial trucking enterprise is looking for new ways to improve the safety of your drivers, we are ready to help.

Strong Tie Insurance has been protecting our trucking customers for more than 20 years, and we understand the hazards that your business encounters on a daily basis. We work hard to provide trucking insurance that is tailored to your company’s specific needs.

Looking to bolster your trucking safety knowledge? Discover essential safety tips in our blog post that every driver should know. As you explore the future of truck safety systems, these insights will keep you well-prepared on the road.

To receive a free quote and speak with a customer service representative to learn more about the various types of coverage options we provide, contact us at Strong Tie Insurance today.