Future safety developments
“There is a wealth of knowledge coming from trucks—and we can now leverage artificial intelligence to optimize operations like never before,” Vanderheide continued. “AI can help us move from making macro decisions about safety in the form of policies to a far more streamlined and efficient approach that allows us to enhance fleet operations by taking a micro approach and develop targeted, real-time enhancements and strategies.”
Well-designed back-office systems already schedule and route drivers effectively and efficiently, which can reduce fatigue-inducing waiting time while providing suitable matches for service with the driver and equipment, Wiesen at Carrier Logistics noted. “With AI algorithms, we can learn about pickup and delivery locations before a driver is dispatched to ensure that a driver with the right equipment type is selected,” he told FleetOwner. “And of course, TMS technology ensures certain shipments like those involving hazardous materials are only assigned to certified drivers.”
Lora Hillebrand at PCS pointed out that developing predictive analytics within a TMS could revolutionize how effective maintenance improves safety. “By identifying potential equipment failures before they occur, you could prevent costly risks,” she said.
“In the future, the interaction between data gathered at the vehicle level and support at the terminal, company headquarters, or shop will be increasingly important,” Hans Galland at BeyondTrucks emphasized. “We expect the role of the driver to gradually but fundamentally change to become an increasingly technical, digital, and data-driven role as an in-cab safety manager.”
The future will be about having robust API capabilities and providing fleets with shared data across platforms to solve problems, Thell at E-Smart said.
“Data, analytics, and AI will play a big role in enhancing safety both in the cab and in the back office,” Trimble’s Cardosi said. “Incorporating machine learning and vision will enrich the data that safety personnel can both see and act on. Though already advanced, we envision this technology will continue to improve.”
“We will continue to serve up data in useful ways as our ADAS systems become more advanced,” said Detroit’s Norton. “As computing power and data speeds grow, you’ll see real-time reporting and analysis as events occur. And as safety systems cover more areas of trucks, they bring in another dimension we can react to and report into connected back-office systems.”
“A key part of future safety is enabled by onboard sensors and embedded diagnostic equipment, which will provide additional insights and alerts to protect the driver and the overall public,” said ZF Group’s Benjamin Brown.
Safety plays a crucial role in all product development strategies at Volvo Trucks North America, Gustafson noted. “Safety data that is easily understood in the back office helps promote safe driving behaviors to protect drivers, motorists, and other road users,” he said.
Thomas at Bendix sees “richer, more robust data availability. The best use of technology is in complementing a fleet’s overall safety culture,” he stated. “As ADAS systems continue to evolve, more features will offer different types of data that fleets can use to design more targeted and effective solutions.”
“The future for safety is having AI models to better analyze data and make better decisions,” Simard at Isaac said. “AI is inherently predictive. It takes a large amount of data and turns it into an actionable tool that will improve how fleets implement, manage, and measure their safety initiatives.”
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