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Satellite positioning "GPS" and onboard computer systems "OBC" are installed on approximately 70% of modern trucking vehicles. These technology advanced programs add great flexibility to the trucking industry in driver communication, maintenance, monitoring freight and deliveries and safety. The circular antenna that looks like the the "old popcorn popper" is mounted on the rear of the truck or on the roof area under fairings and beams information to satellites over 11,000 miles overhead. Some systems use cellular or ground based technology to communicate. The latest technology being used is through the Internet. "GPS" and positioning data can be beamed back to headquarters either in real time or as needed. Messages from the trucking company computers travel over the phone line to the satellite provider's center and get beamed to communications satellite or cell tower which relays it to the truck.
This is greatly advanced from the earliest recording device the "tachograph" invented in 1921. Tachographs record vehicle speed, engine RPM, and distance traveled onto a rotating, circular 24-hour chart that is changed regularly. Tachographs are still in use in Europe on heavy trucks, buses and emergency vehicles. Modern, advanced systems use sensors mounted all through the truck to monitor engines, ABS brakes, transmissions and other systems on the truck. Trucking company personnel can remotely monitor the truck's speed, fuel consumption and vital signs from engines and transmissions in real time seamless integrated systems. Settings and adjustments to components can also be checked and/or adjusted.
Internet communications have added instant communication to download reports from trucks, provide shippers and receivers real time freight updates and lower costs for this growing technology. Trailer "GPS" tracking for speed, position, loaded or unloaded, hooked or unhooked and security reasons has been the latest development in the trucking industry.
"ECM" electronic engine control modules since the late 90's can record more than engine data and are extremely sophisticated. They can provide a wealth of information on many actions of the truck. These modules compile and store data over a period of time. The same sensors as discussed earlier to provide information to the trucking companies computers also provide information to the "ECM". "ECM"'s not connected to trucking company computers can be downloaded by truck dealers or third party vendors and printouts provided. Onboard engine displays, in the driver's cab, provide some of the same information to the driver but have no recording capabilities. These important systems are sometimes overlooked in truck crashes because understanding and deciphering this information is complex. Each system is unique and provides reports in different formats.
   ©2003 Robert Reed
Published October 25,2003 accidentreconstruction.com.October 2003 Newsletter Vol.V,Issue 10
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