TMC Resource Center

This paper is a result of a “freewheeling” consideration of changes in the layout of vari- ous cab components and driver positioning and the effect of such changes on safety and operations. It is meant to provoke discussion and encourage innovation. The authors do not necessarily advocate any particular design or approach, but they do advocate spirited debate and serious consideration of the value of these changes to cab design.

This report was prepared to support current and future TMC Future Truck Position Papers on alternative fuels and provide proponents of alternative fuels a measure of the distance they must go to approach diesel engine/fuel reliability. Reliability, in terns of the probability of running so many failure-free miles, is not quantified in any of the reports on alternative fuel usage in heavy trucks. Rather, proxies, such as “uptime,” or utilization as a percent- age of diesel truck miles, or maintenance cost comparisons are used.

At TMC’s 2000 Annual Meeting, 16 fleet mem- bers of TMC participated in a focus group about their needs and desires for truck cabs in 2010. The focus group was led by Robert Crump and Renae Bowers-Carnahan. The focus group session was observed via closed circuit video by other members of TMC in an adjacent room.

Issued: March 2001

Advanced communication systems, collision warning systems and complex display systems are finding their way into commercial vehicles. Dispatcher communications and cellular telephones are already common place. Navigational aids are becoming more popular as prices fall rapidly. Soon the communications bandwidth into a truck will increase to rates that rival current office systems. This will bring with it a proliferation of communications devices. A driver could conceivable have complete Internet access while driving.

Issued: May 2001

This paper is a result of a “freewheeling” consideration of changes in the layout of vari- ous cab components and driver positioning and the effect of such changes on safety and operations. It is meant to provoke discussion and encourage innovation. The authors do not necessarily advocate any particular design or approach, but they do advocate spirited debate and serious consideration of the value of these changes to cab design.

Various groups are researching and promoting different fuels, various states are encouraging alternative fuel use, and the federal government may mandate alternative fuels for private (i.e. non-government) fleets. A number of different fuels are being considered as alternatives to conventional diesel fuel and gasoline. In addition to the “traditional” natural gas, propane and alcohols (methanol and ethanol), new ones appear periodically, such as DME, DEE etc.

In 1984, The Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations launched a new initiative aimed at increasing awareness of equipment user needs and influence among manufacturers and suppliers. This initiative was called “Tomorrow’s Truck.” TMC undertook this mission because of a firm belief by its members that equipment users are the best source of information about the demands put upon vehicles.