LIGHTING: SOME BRIGHT IDEAS (VEHICLE FLEET OPERATORS)

Opinions and experiences are cited of U.S. fleet operators who participated in a meeting on truck lighting. A table lists the fleet operators, their vehicle inventory, typical vehicle replacement program, area of service, and lighting problems. Consensus was reached on the following items: use of sealed and shock-mounted clearance lamps, relocation of dimmer switches away from the floor to avoid road spray exposure, and consideration of lighting as a total system. The fleetmen illustrated their recommendations with examples of failed electrical parts from their trucks, and pointed out some maintenance deficiencies. Maintenance problems included shock mounting and corrosion protection of lamps, lens replacement location, and lubrication of connections and joints. Several industry studies are cited which provide statistics on lighting system maintenance repair and costs, as well as a Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety report on lighting/electrical system roadside inspection violations. New lighting equipment available to fleets is described: a turn signal incorporating a pushbutton dimmer switch in the end of the handle, a remotely mounted relay to handle high amperage of the headlamp system, hermetically sealed top-tail-turn-backup (tractor and trailer) and trailer marker lamps with shock-mounted bulbs, and a dual front lamp for trucks and tractors that combines turn, marker, and park functions, using only one bulb.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/23150828
• Corporate Authors:

  McGraw-Hill, Incorporated

  330 West 42nd Street
  New York, NY  United States  10036
• Authors:
  • BALD, J
• Publication Date: 1979-9

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 81-83
• Serial:
  • Fleet Owner
  • Volume: 74
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Primedia Business Magazines & Media, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 1070-194X
  • Serial URL: http://www.fleetowner.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Corrosion protection; Electrical systems; Fleet management; Headlamps; Inspection; Motor vehicles; Rear lighting; Repairing; Tractor trailer combinations; Trucks; Turn signals; Vehicle lighting; Vehicle maintenance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fleets
• Old TRIS Terms: Mounting; Rear lights; Repair costs
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390961
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-028 329
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 30 1984 12:00AM