Freightliner Extends Capabilities of Truck Data Logging Unit

ORLANDO, Fla. (PROTEXT) - Freightliner Corporation introducednew capabilities for its truck data logging unit, an on-boardelectronic recording device and management tool. The data loggingunit (DLU), which is standard equipment on Freightliner's CenturyClass S/T heavy-duty trucks, soon will record information fromthe moments before and after the truck's driver air bag isdeployed. The new functionality will help determine some of theconditions surrounding a vehicle accident. Freightliner also announced it will increase the DLU'srecording capacity and will eventually offer the device in allFreightliner Corporation vehicles. Freightliner, North America'sleading heavy-duty truck manufacturer, made the announcementsduring a press conference at the American Trucking Associationsannual meeting here. "Freightliner's data logging unit already records a host ofuseful data related to truck operation -- information that helpsfleets better manage their vehicles and drivers," FreightlinerPresident and CEO Jim Hebe said. "Now the data logging unit willbe able to take a picture of vehicle status at the time of anaccident." The DLU is wired to virtually all major vehicle components,including the engine, transmission and antilock brakes. The DLUcontinuously stores -- in its temporary memory -- information onspeed, temperatures, pressures, odometer readings and throttlepositions. When the DLU detects an anomaly in the truck's operations, forexample, high oil temperature, it automatically copiesinformation from the temporary memory into a more permanentmemory. The DLU also can be manually triggered by the driver. If thedriver senses something is wrong with the vehicle, he or she canpress a button on the dash to instruct the DLU to save data. Service technicians can later download this saved informationusing Freightliner's ServiceLink software. By analyzing the exactconditions on- board the truck at the time of the anomaly,technicians can more quickly pinpoint the problem and fix itright the first time. "The data logging unit, combined with Freightliner'ssophisticated software, delivers an integrated service andvehicle diagnostic system for trucking companies," Hebe said. Beginning in January 2000, all newly-manufactured FreightlinerDLUs will record vehicle status at the time of and leading up toan accident -- as indicated by an air bag deployment.Freightliner offers a driver's side airbag as a standard featureon its Century Class S/T Class 8 trucks and as an option on itsColumbia and Argosy heavy-duty trucks. As soon as the air bag deploys, the enhanced DLU will savedata on road speed, brake status, accelerator position, engineretarder status, cruise control status, cruise control set speed,ambient outdoor temperature, odometer mileage and current dateand time. All together, these data will provide a clear pictureof the truck's status at the time of the accident. This kind of sophisticated recording technology is a positivedevelopment for the trucking industry, according to Hebe. For example, the DLU could show that the driver was obeyingthe speed limit at the time of the accident, and that allmonitored systems were functioning properly. It could alsodemonstrate that the driver was actively applying the brakeleading up to the crash, which could show that he or she wasawake and alert behind the wheel. "More important than assigning blame for an individualincident, data gleaned from data logging unit-equippedFreightliner trucks -- in aggregate -- will help determine thegeneral causes of truck accidents," Hebe said. "By analyzingaccidents and developing new technologies and policies to addresscausation factors, we can save lives." Hebe added that Freightliner will continue to enhance thecapabilities of the DLU. Further versions will be configured torecord data from on-board global positioning system (GPS) unitsand Freightliner's new Lane Guidance system, which warns thedriver of an imminent lane departure. And by the end of 2000, Freightliner will offer the DLU on allFreightliner Corporation vehicles, including Freightliner andSterling-brand trucks and Thomas Built Buses and AmericanLaFrance vehicles. Currently, the Freightliner DLU only isavailable on Freightliner's new Century Class S/T(safety/technology) truck, which features a multitude of standardsafety and technology features. "The federal government and the general public have becomedeeply concerned about the safety of heavy-duty trucks," Hebesaid. "Those concerns will deepen as the number of trucksoperating on our highway multiplies. By embracing advancedsafety-related technologies, like data recording devices, thetrucking industry proves its commitment to furthering highwaysafety and saving lives." Freightliner is developing on-board data recorders andpromoting data recording technology to help fleets better manageequipment and personnel. Freightliner also believes that datarecording devices may be mandatory equipment on future Class 8trucks. In light of this, the company is taking a proactive rolein developing and implementing on-board recording devices toprovide a solution that is conducive to trucking industryproductivity. Freightliner Corporation, headquartered in Portland, Oregon,is the leading heavy truck manufacturer in North America.Freightliner produces and markets Class 3-8 trucks under theFreightliner, Sterling, American LaFrance and Thomas Built Busesnameplates and is a DaimlerChrysler company, the world's leadingcommercial vehicle manufacturer. On the Internet Visit the Freightliner Corporation Web Site atwww.freightliner.com for additional Freightliner news. otsOriginal Text Service: Freightliner Corporation Internet:http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Chris Brandt of FreightlinerCorporation, 503-735-5471 or fax, 503-735-5775 orchrisbrandt@freightliner.com Web site:http://www.freightliner.com

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