Matrack

The mirrorless semi-truck, MirrorEye, is an innovation that potentially expands truck drivers’ vision, prevents collisions, improves aerodynamics and saves fuel. How do the mirrorless trucks work? The two large conventional 50 square inch side mirrors of the truck used for rear vision are replaced with an external multi-view digital camera system and an internal two video monitor system; one screen mounted on each pillar of the cabin in front of the driver. The FMCSA has deemed the digital camera system safe or possibly safer than external mirrors and has given Stoneridge, the company that makes them, an exemption from the law that requires the installation of the conventional two rear-vision mirrors in all commercial vehicles. 

Finding an authorized and safe place to park your 18-wheeler has always been a challenge in the trucking industry, especially with the ever-increasing amount of semis on the roads. Now with the HOS regulation being enforced by the ELD mandate, truckers are finding it even harder to find an adequate place to park. The American Transport Research Institution found that truck parking diaries revealed that drivers using ELD devices were more likely to spend over 30 minutes looking for available parking spaces than those drivers without ELD devices.

Trucks Park Here launched at the start of 2019 this year, is an initiative that uses technology to help truck drivers find an adequate place to park. Truck Park Here provides live details of parking availability to truck drivers across 8 Midwestern states. Drivers can receive real-time updates about parking availability through smartphone apps, message boards, and information websites. There are currently 127 parking sites feeding data into the system which equals about 4,500 sensors monitored spaces. Currently, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin are collaborating in the project to help provide timely parking information to drivers.

Finding an authorized and safe place to park your 18-wheeler has always been a challenge in the trucking industry, especially with the ever-increasing amount of semis on the roads. Now with the HOS regulation being enforced by the ELD mandate, truckers are finding it even harder to find an adequate place to park. The American Transport Research Institution found that truck parking diaries revealed that drivers using ELD devices were more likely to spend over 30 minutes looking for available parking spaces than those drivers without ELD devices.

Trucks Park Here launched at the start of 2019 this year, is an initiative that uses technology to help truck drivers find an adequate place to park. Truck Park Here provides live details of parking availability to truck drivers across 8 Midwestern states. Drivers can receive real-time updates about parking availability through smartphone apps, message boards, and information websites. There are currently 127 parking sites feeding data into the system which equals about 4,500 sensors monitored spaces. Currently, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin are collaborating in the project to help provide timely parking information to drivers.

At times, the life of trucking can be synonymous with boredom and isolation, especially for long-haul drivers who go weeks and even months without seeing their friends and family. Spending so much time in isolation on the road can cause truck drivers to become depressed and lonely. A great way for truck drivers to feel happier and more enthusiastic about their work is to bring their pets on the road with them. In 2016, The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute did a survey to explore the relationships between pets and their owners. It found that 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership. Bringing a pet on the job can help truckers deal with stress and experience an overall sense of well-being and companionship. According to Healthy Pets, “Over half of all truck drivers are pet owners and 40% of them take their pets on the road.”

How can a disabled person ski? What was previously thought impossible has become possible thanks to the hard efforts of the University of Utah Health and Modern Technology. Jeffery Rosenbluth M.D. and the University of Utah Health have come out with the Tetra Ski, enabling people with minimum arm function to direct their ski chair down the slopes with the use of a joystick. For those with no arm function at all, they can direct their ski chair by blowing and sucking on a tube placed inside their mouth. Many disabled people are already starting to benefit from the Tetra Ski.

GPS technology is very beneficial to the trucking industry. By using this technology with ELD devices fleet managers can largely cut costs in their companies. Fuel costs can be reduced by omitting unnecessary idling, aggressive braking, and speeding. This will also save fleet managers money on unwanted repairs caused by wear and tear of the vehicles. Also through the use of GPS technology fleet managers can identify risky behavior of drivers and also closely monitor HOS so their drivers don’t receive any violations and don’t drive over time which could cause accidents due to fatigue. This will in turn greatly reduce insurance premiums for fleet managers and ensure the safety of their drivers and other motorists on the road. GPS technology can also be used to direct drivers to optimal driving routes to ensure timely delivery of freight; thereby profiting the company as a whole.

 It’s 2019 and time to make the final switch from AOBRD to ELD devices.whether GPS technology of ELD devices potentially help trucking companies save money? The answer is YES. Every year thousands of dollars is literally guzzled away in unnecessary idling, aggressive breaking, speeding, poor maintenance, and costly insurance premiums. The average operating cost for the trucking industry is about $1.38 per mile and the average total yearly cost of operating a commercial truck comes to $180,000 a year. The GPS technology used with ELD devices can help slash those figures and save you money and time. Let’s take a detailed look into the benefits of using GPS technology in your fleets and how it saves you money.

Reduce Idling to Save Fuel and Maintenance Cost:

Same like managers, with the help of GPS technology, you will get transparency into when and for how long your trucks are idling. According to the US Department of Transit, “Typically, a long-haul truck idles about 1,800 hours per year, using about 1,500 gallons of diesel. Stop drivers from speeding and aggressive breaking:

Speeding and aggressive breaking can rapidly drain fuel supplies; thereby causing increased and unnecessary fuel expenses. According to a National Geographic interview with Glen Kedzie from American Trucking Association, “On average, a truck traveling at 65 mph instead of 75 mph will experience up to 27 percent improvement in fuel consumption. ‘As a rule of thumb, for every one mile per hour increase in speed, there is a corresponding 0.14 mpg penalty in fuel consumption,’ said Kedzie.” The GPS technology of ELD devices makes it possible to have a real-time view, 24/7, into the speeding and aggressive breaking habits of drivers. This allows fleet managers to correct negative driving patterns and save money on fuel and wear and tear of the vehicle; as well as promote safety for truck drivers and other motorists on the road.

Cut Insurance Costs:

 The use of GPS ELD compliant devices will keep a better check on drivers and improve driver safety. Insurance premiums are currently based largely on CSA scores. ELDs are connected directly to the truck’s engine which allows carriers to monitor driver safety and identify risky behavior that could result in higher CSA scores. Also with the use of GPS technology of ELD devices you can make sure your drivers don’t exceed HOS and thereby eliminate driving violations which would cost your company higher premiums. In order to that, the GPS technology of ELD devices can give the insurance industry with additional data to consider when determining risk models. This can reduce the impact CSA scores have on insurance premiums. Lastly, using ELD compliant devices to monitor HOS and make sure your drivers don’t drive too long without proper rest will ultimately prevent accidents due to driver fatigue and save endless lives and money.

Improve Routing and Driver/Manager Communication:

 GPS technology can help make sure your drivers take the most efficient routes, which will help cut fuel costs and time, thereby making your business more profitable. Everyone in the trucking industry knows that time matters when it comes to transporting freight across the country. Through using GPS technology and ELD devices you can make sure that your drivers are on the fastest route possible and avoid traffic jams. Complete Driver Transparency to make sure your drivers are safe, honest and profitable:

 Managers must keep tabs on their employees for the success of any business, and there is no difference in the trucking industry. In many professions, employees work in a well-monitored environment which helps managers have a better knowledge of their employees’ behavior and accomplishments. With the freedom truck drivers have out on the road for weeks at a time, it’s crucial for fleet managers to have a way of knowing what is going on with their trucks and drivers. According to the FMCSA out of the ten states with the highest average fatal large truck and bus crashes in 2014-2016, 51% of those fatal crashes involved at least one large truck or bus. Fleet managers need to feel comfortable that drivers are safe, reliable, and honest. While this may have not been possible in the past, it is now thanks to GPS technology. Now they have managers can have complete driver transparency and monitor all the movements of every vehicle in their fleet 24/7 to make sure their drivers’ performance is safe, beneficial and profitable to the company.

GPS technology is very beneficial to the trucking industry. By using this technology with ELD devices fleet managers can largely cut costs in their companies. Fuel costs can be reduced by omitting unnecessary idling, aggressive braking, and speeding. This will also help to save fleet managers money on unnecessary repairs caused by the wear and tear of the vehicles. Also through the use of GPS technology fleet managers can identify risky behavior of drivers and also closely monitor HOS so their drivers don’t receive any violations and don’t drive over time which could cause accidents due to fatigue. This will in turn greatly reduce insurance premiums for fleet managers and ensure the safety of their drivers and other motorists on the road. GPS technology can also be used to direct drivers to optimal driving routes to ensure timely delivery of freight; thereby profiting the company as a whole.

One of the immense dangers that truck drivers face on the road are passenger car drivers. Many times the small cars try to cutoff or follow the truck way more closely than they should. Any miscalculation on the part of any of the driver can result in fatal accidents. There are a few things passenger car drivers must keep in mind while driving along the trucks to ensure that the roads are safer for all:

Whenever a truck stops on the highway, move to the next lane and give them some space. Truckers stop on a busy highway only if it is critically important – the truck is either in need of maintenance, or if there is any issue with safety. Give the truck drivers a space to cater to the emergency situation.

A truck driver also have a blind spots as a passenger car driver have. They do have a rear-view mirror on the right, however due to the difference in height, the entire right side is a blind stop for truck drivers. It is safer to never try to pass them on their right.

Trucks and trailers are huge, and can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. They cannot stop abruptly, and there is a huge gap in application of brakes and response time. Also, trucks and heavy vehicles use air brakes, which function differently than the brakes in a four-wheel car. therefore,unless there is enough space passenger driver should not try to overtake.

While entering or exiting the highway, most truck drivers can see other passenger cars and heavy rigs, and wait for them to pass. However, if the situation arises that they cannot move, it is better for both their safety that the passenger car gave way to the heavier truck. This is simply because trucks are huge and heavy, and it is difficult for them to move. Trying to cut or not yield will only waste the time of both drivers.

Truck and heavy rig drivers and passenger car drivers often communicate with each other through trailer lights, headlights, and turn signals. Repetitive flashes means the driver needs to be more attentive of the road ahead. This could be due to excessive traffic, road construction or maintenance, or any other situation. As trailers are long and huge, truck drivers are often confused about whether it is safe for them to change lanes or not. A simple flash of light from fellow traveler can assure the truck driver that he has enough space to change lanes.

Making turns is another challenge for truck drivers. They have to make wide turns, and the safety of these turns depends on fellow drivers. There are white stop lines at intersections, and other drivers must pay attention to them when they see a heavy trailer trying to make a turn.

Truck drivers go through intense training, and are well versed in all the rules and regulations pertaining to road safety. Because of the sheer size of their vehicle and heavy haul attached to it, they have to be extra careful. It is highly unlikely for trucks to be driving at a fast speed, as the drivers know that they cannot make an abrupt stop in any situation. So,road safety is equally important responsibility of all drivers, no matter the size of their vehicle.

One of the immense dangers that truck drivers face on the road are passenger car drivers. Many times the small cars try to cut off or follow the truck way more closely than they should. Any miscalculation on the part of any of the driver can result in fatal accidents. There are a few things passenger car drivers must keep in mind while driving along the trucks to ensure that the roads are safer for all:

Whenever a truck stops on the highway, move to the next lane and give them some space. Truckers stop on a busy highway only if it is critically important – the truck is either in need of maintenance or if there is an issue with safety. Give the truck drivers a space to cater to the emergency situation.

A truck driver also has a blind spot as a passenger car driver have. They do have a rear-view mirror on the right, however, due to the difference in height, the entire right side is a blind stop for truck drivers. It is safer to never try to pass them on their right.

Trucks and trailers are huge and can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. They cannot stop abruptly, and there is a huge gap in the application of brakes and response time. Also, trucks and heavy vehicles use air brakes, which function differently than the brakes in a four-wheel car. therefore, unless there is enough space passenger driver should not try to overtake.

While entering or exiting the highway, most truck drivers can see other passenger cars and heavy rigs, and wait for them to pass. However, if the situation arises that they cannot move, it is better for both their safety that the passenger car gave way to the heavier truck. This is simply because trucks are huge and heavy, and it is difficult for them to move. Trying to cut or not yield will only waste the time of both drivers.

Truck and heavy rig drivers and passenger car drivers often communicate with each other through trailer lights, headlights, and turn signals. Repetitive flashes mean the driver needs to be more attentive of the road ahead. This could be due to excessive traffic, road construction or maintenance, or any other situation. As trailers are long and huge, truck drivers are often confused about whether it is safe for them to change lanes or not. A simple flash of light from fellow traveler can assure the truck driver that he has enough space to change lanes.

Making turns is another challenge for truck drivers. They have to make wide turns, and the safety of these turns depends on fellow drivers. There are white stop lines at intersections, and other drivers must pay attention to them when they see a heavy trailer trying to make a turn.

Trailer tracking and fleet management are often mistaken to be the same thing, and the terms are used interchangeably. However, there is one huge difference between those two. Trailer tracking is a subdivision of a much wider system of fleet management. To understand this difference properly, let’s take a look at both of them separately:

Trailer Tracking system is a combination of computer software and an electronic device. The device is installed in the trailer gathers information, which is processed by the software. It permits the owner to track the location of the trailer, along with several other features like geofencing, temperature control, security, and provides real time data for better execution.

Some of the qualities of a well-designed Trailer Tracking device like MA-1080 by Matrack Incorporation are:

Long lasting Battery life

Supports high Speed Data

Real-time insights

Weatherproof

Alerts through SMS and Emails

Compact in size

Together with a GPS enables cloud based application and service, trailer tracking system proves to be most beneficial in case of hijacking and theft, and helps in speedy recovery.

Fleet Management, however is a much wider concept. Apart from being aware of the location of one trailer, a fleet manager has several other duties and responsibilities:

Purchase and replacement of Vehicle

Compliance with regulations  and rules such as IFTA and ELD, set by local and state authority

Maintain electronic database of drivers, vehicles, trailers, customers, equipment, and labor

Plan and schedule routes

Provide workshops  and relevant training to other employees

Manage maintain cost-effectiveness and fuel requirements

Optimize the entire fleet operation

Ensuring safety and security of assets and drivers.

Fleet management platforms support a fleet manager in fulfilling the above mentioned duties and much more with better efficiency and organization, thereby increasing the ROI. An effective fleet management system is placed on the principal of IoT (Internet of things). Electronic Logging devices, generally known as ELD, like Matrack’s MA 3000 are equipped with implanted software and sensors are connected to the vehicle or assets through on-board diagnostics. It collects various data like speed, driving hours, engine status, maintenance requirements, and location.

The data is sent to an analytical program that utilizes this information and generates reports for mileage, safety, fuel consumption and others. MA 3000 also helps in compliance of DOT’s hours of service rules, and as it incorporates Bluetooth technology, fleet owners and managers can be in constant contact with their vehicles.

Trailer Tracking is an important part of fleet management. Together, they allow owners  and managers to operate their fleets at maximum capacity and improve profitability. It also ensures that all assets are maintained periodically and utilized properly. The reports generated are accurate and help in safety protocols and tax compliances.

MA 1080 is compact, simple and easy to install. It comes with powerful inbuilt magnets, 3 years of battery life, and faster and better connectivity. Together with its application, MA 1080 can send geofencing warnings, has proactive tracking mode in case of hijacking or theft, and sends location alerts via email and SMS in real time. The device is made to develop in harsh conditions and any kind of weather.

Matrack also proffers a wide range of fleet and asset tracking devices. All the devices are integrated with a user-friendly platform, available to you on any mobile device of your option. Once you have installed MA -1080, you are provided user credentials to the platform, and can approach it anytime, from anywhere around the world.