ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Sept. 9, 2010 — The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Con-way Freight today announced the results of a year-long field test of an integrated system of crash warning technologies designed to enhance the safety of commercial trucks.
The results were made available in a newly issued report: The Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems Heavy-Truck Field Operational Test, Key Findings Report (DOT HS 811 362). Program funding was provided by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Con-way Freight (NYSE: CNW) supported the study by providing 10 Class-8 commercial freight tractors that were equipped with the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) technology. Over the course of the 10-month study, which began in February 2009, 18 Con-way Freight drivers operated the trucks out of the company’s Detroit service center as part of its normal business operations, logging 601,844 miles; 22,724 trips; and generating 13,678 hours of data. While the test vehicles were driven, data acquisition systems recorded driver actions and responses to the integrated warning system. UMTRI researchers then analyzed the data to study the effect that the integrated warning system had on driver acceptance and changes in driver behavior.
Key findings from the study include:
• The majority of drivers perceived that the integrated crash warning system would increase driver safety, and it made them more aware of the traffic environment around their vehicle and their position in the lane
• Seven drivers reported the integrated system prevented them from potentially having a crash
• Fifteen out of 18 drivers said they prefer a truck equipped with the integrated safety system and would recommend that their employers purchase such a system
• In terms of satisfaction, drivers rated warnings for lane departures the highest, and second highest in terms of perceived usefulness
• The integrated crash warning system had a statistically significant effect helping drivers maintain lane positions closer to the center
• Overall, drivers responded more quickly to potential rear-end crash scenarios with the system
“Partnering with Con-way Freight was a very positive experience for UMTRI,” said Jim Sayer, associate research scientist, UMTRI. “It was particularly rewarding to see Con-way Freight make direct use of our research findings, and begin equipping their vehicles with similar safety systems.”
Based on its experience with the study, Con-way Freight chose to invest in the new technologies for all new replacement units added to the fleet this year — more than 1,300 Freightliner Cascadia Class 8 tractors representing an investment of some $100 million, explained Bob Petrancosta, the company’s vice president of safety.
“The insight we gained from the IVBSS study confirmed the feedback we got from our drivers — these technologies are ready for prime time and are effective at helping drivers avoid the most common instances of crashes involving commercial trucks,” he noted. “Safety is our number one core value. Investing in these technologies is consistent with that objective and our goal of sharing the road as safely as possible with the motoring public.”
The 1,300 new tractors were each equipped with an integrated suite of “detect, alert and respond” systems which provide for rollover stability, front collision warning with radar-based adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The safety technologies for the new tractors, all of which have gone into service, represent a cumulative investment of about $5 million.
On Oct. 20, the U.S. Department of Transportation will present the full results of the report during a one-day public meeting at Eagle Crest Conference Center in Ypsilanti, Mich. For more information or to register for the meeting, please visit http://www.umtri.umich.edu/
Additional program partners for the IVBSS commercial-truck research include Eaton Corp., Takata Corporation, International Truck and Engine Corporation and Battelle. The cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation is administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with assistance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In-depth information about the program is available at: http://www.umtri.umich.edu/
About UMTRI
The Transportation Research Institute at The University of Michigan is committed to interdisciplinary research that will ultimately increase driving safety and further transportation systems knowledge. UMTRI's research significantly impacts highway transportation policy and practice, in the United States and abroad. The institute is currently operating a $22 million per year research program, with funds received from federal and state government agencies, motor vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, and other organizations. For more information, visit http://www.umtri.umich.edu.
About Con-way Freight
Con-way Freight is the industry’s leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service with exception-free delivery, on-time service performance and faster transit times through a single, unified network of more than 300 service centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Con-way Freight offers LTL freight transportation across North America and through Global LTLTM delivery in the United States from around the world. Global solutions include international less-than-container (LCL) ocean shipments from Asia through its OceanGuaranteed® service; U.S. and Europe delivery for inbound and outbound international cargoes through an exclusive alliance with TNT; direct service to more than 30 Bahamian and Caribbean ports through TropicalDirectSM; and domestic offshore transportation to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Con-way Freight is a certified FAST highway carrier and is C-TPAT/PIP, ACE- and CSA-certified.
Con-way Freight is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $4.3 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics services company. For more information, visit www.con-way.com/en/freight.
