Future Truck Position Papers

New requirements for reduced stopping distance (RSD) and stability are prompting manufacturers to consider emerging technologies in order reduce response time in heavy-duty commercial braking systems, thereby improving overall vehicle safety and efficiency. TMC recommends accelerating research and development of future braking systems to overcome limitations of current pneumatic braking system designs, leverage emerging technologies in conjunction with those currently available in the marketplace.

Having studied issues with driver seating and control packages for all known driver population profiles — especially ones of smaller stature — TMC’s Future Cab & Driver Interface Task Force proposes in this paper that equipment manufacturers and suppliers develop “adjustable pedals” to accommodate the full range of drivers.

Having studied issues with driver seating and control packages for all known driver popula-tion profiles, TMC’s Future Cab & Driver Interface Task Force proposes in this paper that equipment manufacturers and suppliers develop seating systems that accommodate at least 95 percent of truck driving populations with adjustments for seat cushion width, seat cushion depth (each leg separate), lower seat back width, upper back width, lumbar vertical, lumbar in/out, and arm rest up/down.

Issued: March 2019

Current practice for tire inflation pressure maintenance in the commercial vehicle fleet does not account for varying load, speed and environmental operating conditions actually experienced by the tire and vehicle. TMC recommends development of an integrated tire inflation pressure control system that can compensate for these factors and provide an automated means ofinflating and deflating each tire to match the conditions encountered.

Demands for “lightweighting” trailers and truck bodies will inevitably increase as greenhouse gas reduction, fuel consumption reduction, alternate energy utilization, electric propulsion,and automated vehicle adoption accelerate in coming years. The purpose of this position pa- per is to discuss technical aspects of how — through development of improved metal alloys, composite, and new metal/composite constructed materials — the goals of lightweighting canbe achieved for trailers and truck bodies with high effectiveness.

TMC’s Future Truck Committee charged its Sensor Enhanced Maintenance Task Force to evaluate and state a position on the feasibility of automatic monitoring of electrical systemhealth. The finding of that task force is that automatic monitoring of electrical system health is achievable by combining onboard circuit analysis with Testing for Statistical Significance(TSS). When paired together, these two fundamentally sound sciences quantify the state of health (SOH) for batteries, alternators, starters, and electrical cables.

Recent advancements in sensor technology are enabling real-time monitoring of system performance and readiness in heavy-duty vehicles. ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Coun- cil (TMC) recommends that manufacturers leverage this new technology to develop a more accurate means of identifying slow leaks in air brake lines; thus improving driver awareness of developing brake system failures, and reducing the frequency and severity of thermal in-cidents (i.e., truck fires).

Issued: May 2018

With the rising demand for improvements in efficiency and power availability, efforts are underway to incorporate higher voltages into the electrical systems of heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles. Throughout this effort, it is important that safety, reliability, and compatibility with equipment currently in use, be maintained. This paper, developed by TMC’s Electrical/ Electronic Systems Task Force, under the auspices of the Council’s Future Truck Committee, serves to further outline these expectations.

Issued: December 2017

The Future Tire Durability and Reliability Task Force — working under the auspices of TMC's Future Truck Committee — was tasked with exploring and identifying key factors related to the adoption of zero-pressure tires in commercial transportation service. Accordingly,the Task Force developed this position paper to define future features and expectations forzero pressure commercial tires in terms of product performance, maintainability, reliability, durability, serviceability, environmental and educational issues.