THE DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION, AND DEPLOYMENT OF HEAVY VEHICLE INTELLIGENT COMMUNICATION AND POWERING ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS

The trucking industry, through the formation of the Technology Demonstrator Consortium, has worked collaboratively with the Government to address the dynamics, both applications and limitations, of developing comprehensive powering and communication systems in heavy-duty vehicles. Two technology vehicles were used to demonstrate, deploy, and evaluate powering and communication interconnect technologies, as well as supporting technologies, i.e., safety, warning, and lighting systems. The test vehicles used the standard industry electrical connectors, which also served as communication channels to transmit SAE J1708, J1939, and power line carrier signals. The transfer of data between tractor and trailer, and the utilization of this information by various electrical subsystems, occurs as a result of effective powering and communication systems. The human factors element, although subjective, reflecting personal bias, perceptions, and experience, is also critical in examining the effectiveness of technology. The technology vehicles were placed into active fleet service, where their performance was evaluated according to maintenance/repair records, and mechanic/driver feedback. The industry/government needs to continue developing and evaluating current powering/communication systems to meet the demands and challenges of technological advancements. The future success of the trucking industry will depend on its ability to embrace changes, particularly those that impact its productivity, safety, and competitiveness.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Core Participants: Delco Electronics Corp.; Freightliner Corp.; Ryder Transportation Services; Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc.; Volvo GM Heavy Truck; NHTSA. Associated Projects: Tractor/Multi-Trailer ABS Voltage Study (ATA/VES); Environmental Testing of SAE J560 Seven Pin Tractor-Trailer Electrical Connectors (Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division).
• Corporate Authors:

  Delco Electronics Corporation

  Delco Systems Operations, 6767 Hollister Avenue
  Goleta, CA  United States  93117-3000

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Lesesky, A C
  • Kaiser, M
• Publication Date: 1998-9-30

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures;
• Pagination: 41 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Communication; Deployment; Development; Electric power; Evaluation; Heavy duty vehicles; Human factors; Intelligent transportation systems; Lighting systems; Power; Safety equipment; Technology; Tractor trailer combinations; Transmission lines; Trucking; Warning systems
• Subject Areas: Energy; Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00798225
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-808 942
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 10 2000 12:00AM