Arkansas recently became the 10th state to adopt sophisticated technology that provides truck drivers with real-term alerts about unexpected traffic congestion.
“The interstates of Arkansas are a prominent workplace for the men and women in the trucking industry. Anything we can do to make the roadways safer for them and the motoring public is a win for everyone,” Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) President Shannon Newton reportedly said. “We know that our carriers invest heavily in safety. Connected truck technology can amplify this by providing critical safety information to an exponential number of drivers when and where they need it most.”
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (DOT) and the ATA reportedly worked together to roll out a program that delivers free in-cab safety alerts for CDL holders traveling on interstates and highways. Developed by Drivewyze, a company known for e-inspection software that allows semi-trucks to bypass weigh stations, the newly minted traffic data network is expected to save owner-operators and freight carriers time and money while reducing carbon emissions.
The Natural State is home to some of the country’s largest trucking operations. Its location is also significant in terms of interstate truck commerce, with I-40 experiencing heavy truck traffic. Large commercial motor vehicles reportedly make up 60 percent of the traffic between Little Rock, AR, and Memphis, TN. Officials are also touting the free in-cab alert system as a boon for highway safety.
“With so much truck traffic in our state, we wanted to find a way to inform truckers traveling on major roadways of sudden slowdowns,” Joe Hawkins, State Intelligent Transportation Systems Engineer from Arkansas DOT, reportedly said. “It’s clear that if a truck driver knows of an upcoming sudden slowdown before he or she sees brake lights, accidents can be avoided. It takes a lot of time for a truck to slow down, and the extra time afforded by these alerts can make all the difference in preventing a crash.”
According to reports, Drivewyze’s Smart Roadways service also aids officials in conveying safety alerts directly to participating truckers. More than 800 miles of heavily traveled truck routes are being monitored in real time. Truckers are also receiving virtual messages to provide advanced warnings about unusual incidents. Truck drivers in Arkansas were alerted about the impact the recent solar eclipse had on highway congestion, advising 18-wheelers to take alternative routes. The Drivewyze Free service can be accessed at no cost to truckers through devices, smartphones, or tablets.
Source:
https://drivewyze.com/blog/news/arkansas-providing-real-time-traffic-slowdown-alerts/
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