Freightliner Extends Capabilities of Truck Data Logging Unit

ORLANDO, Fla. (PROTEXT) - Freightliner Corporation introduced new capabilities for its truck data logging unit, an on-board electronic recording device and management tool. The data logging unit (DLU), which is standard equipment on Freightliner's Century Class S/T heavy-duty trucks, soon will record information from the moments before and after the truck's driver air bag is deployed. The new functionality will help determine some of the conditions surrounding a vehicle accident. Freightliner also announced it will increase the DLU's recording capacity and will eventually offer the device in all Freightliner Corporation vehicles. Freightliner, North America's leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer, made the announcements during a press conference at the American Trucking Associations annual meeting here. "Freightliner's data logging unit already records a host of useful data related to truck operation -- information that helps fleets better manage their vehicles and drivers," Freightliner President and CEO Jim Hebe said. "Now the data logging unit will be able to take a picture of vehicle status at the time of an accident." The DLU is wired to virtually all major vehicle components, including the engine, transmission and antilock brakes. The DLU continuously stores -- in its temporary memory -- information on speed, temperatures, pressures, odometer readings and throttle positions. When the DLU detects an anomaly in the truck's operations, for example, high oil temperature, it automatically copies information from the temporary memory into a more permanent memory. The DLU also can be manually triggered by the driver. If the driver senses something is wrong with the vehicle, he or she can press a button on the dash to instruct the DLU to save data. Service technicians can later download this saved information using Freightliner's ServiceLink software. By analyzing the exact conditions on- board the truck at the time of the anomaly, technicians can more quickly pinpoint the problem and fix it right the first time. "The data logging unit, combined with Freightliner's sophisticated software, delivers an integrated service and vehicle diagnostic system for trucking companies," Hebe said. Beginning in January 2000, all newly-manufactured Freightliner DLUs will record vehicle status at the time of and leading up to an accident -- as indicated by an air bag deployment. Freightliner offers a driver's side airbag as a standard feature on its Century Class S/T Class 8 trucks and as an option on its Columbia and Argosy heavy-duty trucks. As soon as the air bag deploys, the enhanced DLU will save data on road speed, brake status, accelerator position, engine retarder status, cruise control status, cruise control set speed, ambient outdoor temperature, odometer mileage and current date and time. All together, these data will provide a clear picture of the truck's status at the time of the accident. This kind of sophisticated recording technology is a positive development for the trucking industry, according to Hebe. For example, the DLU could show that the driver was obeying the speed limit at the time of the accident, and that all monitored systems were functioning properly. It could also demonstrate that the driver was actively applying the brake leading up to the crash, which could show that he or she was awake and alert behind the wheel. "More important than assigning blame for an individual incident, data gleaned from data logging unit-equipped Freightliner trucks -- in aggregate -- will help determine the general causes of truck accidents," Hebe said. "By analyzing accidents and developing new technologies and policies to address causation factors, we can save lives." Hebe added that Freightliner will continue to enhance the capabilities of the DLU. Further versions will be configured to record data from on-board global positioning system (GPS) units and Freightliner's new Lane Guidance system, which warns the driver of an imminent lane departure. And by the end of 2000, Freightliner will offer the DLU on all Freightliner Corporation vehicles, including Freightliner and Sterling-brand trucks and Thomas Built Buses and American LaFrance vehicles. Currently, the Freightliner DLU only is available on Freightliner's new Century Class S/T (safety/technology) truck, which features a multitude of standard safety and technology features. "The federal government and the general public have become deeply concerned about the safety of heavy-duty trucks," Hebe said. "Those concerns will deepen as the number of trucks operating on our highway multiplies. By embracing advanced safety-related technologies, like data recording devices, the trucking industry proves its commitment to furthering highway safety and saving lives." Freightliner is developing on-board data recorders and promoting data recording technology to help fleets better manage equipment and personnel. Freightliner also believes that data recording devices may be mandatory equipment on future Class 8 trucks. In light of this, the company is taking a proactive role in developing and implementing on-board recording devices to provide a solution that is conducive to trucking industry productivity. Freightliner Corporation, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the leading heavy truck manufacturer in North America. Freightliner produces and markets Class 3-8 trucks under the Freightliner, Sterling, American LaFrance and Thomas Built Buses nameplates and is a DaimlerChrysler company, the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. On the Internet Visit the Freightliner Corporation Web Site at www.freightliner.com for additional Freightliner news. ots Original Text Service: Freightliner Corporation Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Chris Brandt of Freightliner Corporation, 503-735-5471 or fax, 503-735-5775 or chrisbrandt@freightliner.com Web site: http://www.freightliner.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial service providing distribution of press releases from clients, who are identified in the text of Protext reports and who bear full responsibility for their contents.