Arkansas recently became the 10th state to adopt advanced traffic technology that provides truck drivers with real-time alerts about unexpected 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,” said Shannon Newton, Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) president. “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 Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) collaborated to launch a program delivering free in-cab safety alerts for professional drivers traveling on the state’s interstates and highways. Developed by Drivewyze, a company known for its e-inspection software that allows semi-trucks to bypass weigh stations, this new traffic data network is expected to save owner-operators and freight carriers time and money while reducing carbon emissions, reducing truck drivers’ frustration, and keeping them on the road.
Arkansas, home to some of the nation’s largest trucking operations, plays a crucial role in interstate truck commerce. I-40 consistently experiences heavy truck traffic. Commercial motor vehicles reportedly account for 60% of the traffic between Little Rock, Ark., and Memphis, Tenn. Officials are promoting the free in-cab alert system as a significant enhancement to 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,” said Joe Hawkins, state intelligent transportation systems engineer from Arkansas DOT. “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.”
Drivewyze’s Smart Roadways service helps officials convey safety alerts directly to participating truckers. It monitors over 800 miles of heavily traveled truck routes in real time. Truckers receive virtual messages providing advanced warnings about unexpected collisions or incidents. For example, Arkansas truck drivers were alerted about the impact of the recent solar eclipse on highway congestion, advising them to take alternative routes. The Drivewyze Free service can be accessed at no cost to truckers through devices, smartphones, or tablets.
This innovative system aims to improve efficiency and safety for truck drivers, making Arkansas a part of the nine other states utilizing technology to enhance transportation for truck drivers.
Source: Truckers Report
