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Bendix-Based Safety System Standard on Volvo VNL and VNR Models

Bendix Wingman Fusion-based safety system is now standard on Volvo VNR and VNL trucks. Photo via Bendix

The paint is hardly dry on the new trucks, but Volvo continues to push the technology envelope with its new VNL and VNR tractor models. Bendix has announced that for the first time in North America, the camera- and radar-based collision mitigation technology of its Wingman Fusion vehicle safety system is now standard equipment on these heavy-duty trucks. Both the VNR and VNL series feature Volvo Active Driver Assist, which the company said integrates Fusion to create a comprehensive, leading-edge system.

Introduced in fall 2016, Volvo Active Driver Assist uses Bendix's flagship collision mitigation technology, integrating radar, camera, and the vehicle's brake system into a driver assistance system that delivers driver alerts and interventions to help them mitigate rear-end collisions, rollovers, and loss-of-control situations.

Unlike systems that only use radar, Volvo said its Active Driver Assist creates a highly detailed and accurate data picture using deep, multisystem integration of the input gathered through radar, video, and the vehicle's brakes working together. The system's camera is powered by the Mobileye System-on-Chip EyeQ processor with state-of-the-art vision algorithms.

Volvo engineers said these technologies – working together and not just in parallel – along with powerful next-generation computing, create a system that typically assesses situations faster and reacts earlier, while also significantly reducing false alerts and false interventions.

Volvo Active Driver Assist offers as standard alert prioritization, enhanced collision mitigation, stationary vehicle braking, and an optional integrated lane departure warning system with data capture capability. Other options include blind spot detection.

While not integrated into the Volvo Active Driver Assist system, the blind spot technology offers an additional feature to help drivers detect vehicles that may not be visible in their mirrors. And because it is built on the Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology ...Read the rest of this story

Truckload Linehaul Rates Firm Up, Intermodal Rate Momentum Slows

Truckload linehaul rates appear to be stabilizing while intermodal rates continue moving higher but at a slower pace, according to two new reports.

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index increased 1.5% in June compared to the same time a year ago, hitting a level of 123. This marks the third straight month of year-over-year gains following downturns for 13 consecutive months.

The June performance was up only 0.2% from the month before while the May level declined 1.5% from April.

Analyst Donald Broughton of Broughton Capital has revised his pricing forecast for this year from a range of a 1% decline to a 2% gain to a slightly better level of no improvement to a 2% increase as the current strength being reported in spot rates is leading him to believe contract pricing rates should keep rates in positive territory through the end of the year.

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index measures market fluctuations in per-mile truckload pricing that isolates the linehaul component of full truckload costs from others, such as fuel and accessorials, providing a reflection of trends in baseline truckload prices.

Meantime, the Cass Intermodal Price Index rose 1.8% in June from the same time a year ago to 123.3 following May's 2.2% increase and hitting its lowest level since August 2016.

This marked the ninth consecutive month of increases, however, pricing momentum has slowed with the measure falling for month-over-month for the third straight time.

“As the price of oil has recovered from the oversold lows of February 2016 and established a price more consistent with the marginal cost of production from domestic sources, said he expects intermodal rates to show better strength in 2017 than were achieved in 2016.

“The current level of demand and pricing will produce a positive year-over-year comparison for the next 3 to 6 months,” he said.

The Cass Intermodal Price Index ...Read the rest of this story

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