This paper is written to inform you about three technology opportunities that will make a positive impact on transportation. These opportunities will lead to more efficient transportation now and in the future. The first technological opportunity discussed is Truck Design; the design of the truck can make a difference in fuel cost. The second technological opportunity discussed is a Speed Governor System; this is a device in trucks that restricts the speed it can travel. The final technological opportunity discussed is the use of cloud computing; this is where information and software is shared on multiple devices. By the end of this paper you will know what great things can come out of these three new technologies and how they impact a company for the better.
The design of a vehicle can have a big impact on gas efficiency. When a truck cuts down on wind resistance it takes less energy for it to move on down the road. When the miles per gallon are improved a company can transport items at a lower cost. The areas that trucking companies can improve on to make their trucks more efficient are the actual design of the trailer, the design of the engine, and the design of the cab.
When designing the trailer designers need to put together ideas that will reduce drag. Adding additions such as skirts to the fuel tanks and extenders to get rid of the gap between the trailer and truck make it so air has no space to slow down the vehicle. When the frame of the trucks is rounded they catch less air than the traditional boxy alternatives. “These aerodynamic features can save up to 28 million gallons of fuel per year for the largest fleets (Graham, 2011).” With new and better versions of engines, trucks can now get better fuel e...
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...unities for the transportation industry to grab a hold of and utilize to make transportation even better than it already is.
Works Cited
Keep on Truckin': Technology Driving a Cleaner Tomorrow. By: Graham, Steve. Financial Executive, March 2011, Vol. 27 Issue 2, p32-35, 4p Abstract: The trucking industry is turning increasingly to environmentally friendly, clean, and energy-efficient methods to remain competitive and help the planet. The steps taken by the trucking industry are discussed.; (AN 510995167)
"Preventing Trucking Accidents and Semi Truck Accidents." Working to Reduce Fatal Crashes Between Heavy Commercial Vehicles and Passenger Cars. Road Safe America, 2009. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. .
The Role of Speed Governors in Truck Safety. Rep. American Transport Research Institiute, 2007. Print.
In a car crash, the more weight there is, the risk of injuries drops (Williams, May Twenty-second, 2015). In most semi truck accidents (about seventy percent of semi truck accidents), when only the semi truck and trailer alone are involved, there are no deaths. But when another vehicle (such as a car, van, or pickup truck ) is involved, about ninety-eight percent of the time there is at least one fatality, which is really low compared to some other means of transportation (such as a train or an airplane) (EJustice, 2012).
When our country was at war, the military identified the need for trucks. Trucks were very important because it was difficult to find away to transport all the supplies, troops, and food. After WW1, this brought an increase in good roads plus an expanding economy. This helped grow the trucking industry. The 1920’s were the years of innovation. The balloon tires were introduced along with the rail road’s that were established “piggy-back” service. The first mechanically refrigerated van was introduced. In 1925, there were 500,000 miles of hard surface roads in the U.S. In 1926, a fully loaded 2 ton truck was driven from New York to San Francisco in five days.
Ontario Provincial Police . (2009). Provincial Traffic Safety Program. Retrieved from Ontario Provincial Police: http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=51
To answer the first question one must see where we were, where they were, and what projections did they set for a 6 year projection goal. Abbott case study updated version 2012, or even now 2013 percentage rates. In 2013, Abbott global vehicle accidental rate had improved by 6 percent from the 2012 rate, to 4.8 accidents per million miles driven (Abbott, 2013). The long t...
One main thing that people may be concerned about today when shopping for a vehicle is efficiency, people are always trying to find vehicles that provide the best fuel economy. What many people do not know are the advancements and environmental factors that diesel engines provide and protect. People are also unaware of the great mileage that these vehicles can provide. With the new ULSD and the new diesel engine technology, people can see mileage up to 58 MPG with a Volkswagen Jetta
People have long used truck-like vehicles to transport goods, but as societies have changed, the need for better, more powerful ways of transportation has grown alongside the development of society. Improved vehicles require better means of movement, just as improved roads and movement among places has allowed for the development of better vehicles. The trucks of today fulfill many job descriptions, but their usage is solidly defined in the human consciousness: a truck is not mistaken for any other type of vehicle. From its early use as “a cart for carrying heavy loads” to the modern “motor vehicle for carrying heavy loads,” the word
Diesel engines like the Power Stroke Diesel in Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups are specifically made to provide better mileage -- 30 percent in most cases -- and have more pulling power than gas engines, which is why they are especially popular among those hauling camping gear or towing boats, RVs and horse trailers.
Ever since the invention of the automobile, numerous efforts have been employed to try and improve its safety features. Judging by the current statistics, one could argue that driving has so far turned out to be a risky business. In actual fact, people of all ages and social status are considered to be in control of lethal weapons whenever they have to drive. According to the National Safety Council, it is estimated that more than 41,000 people lose their lives in road accidents annually and no less than 2 million more suffer from serious life threatening injuries (2009). Furthermore, it is estimated that at least 50% of the people killed in road accidents is as a result of their failure to adhere to safety measures such as wearing seatbelts while driving, driving under the influence, or careless driving (Ingalls, “Defensive Driving Strategies”). As an effect, huge losses occur with respect to life, injuries sustained, and damage to property.
And while the answers vary — technologists, not surprisingly, are more bullish than truckers — billions of dollars and a growing parade of companies, from tiny start-ups to the country’s biggest trucking operations, are betting it will be here sooner than most people think.
...rn, M., Ramroth, L., & Lovins, A. B. (2008). Transformational trucks: determining the energy efficiency limits of a class-8 tractor-trailer. Rocky Mountain Institute, Snowmass, CO.
When an inventor comes up with a new idea for a vehicle, they first draw it up and use computer models to test their theory on how their new idea will hold up in a crash. After the new vehicle idea passes the computer testing, an actual model of said vehicle is made to put through physical testing. A crash test dummy is put in to the driver seat as the vehicle has “accidents” from all angles. Different makes and models of vehicles are first crashed in to walls from all different sides to test how they hold up. As the testing continues, cars are crashed into cars and cars are crashed into trucks. There are still some vehicles that are safer than others. It is with all of this rigorous testing that it has become known that larger trucks are actually safer than passenger cars. What makes a truck safer than a car, you might ask? According to Patrick Bedard of Car and Driver, “Large vehicles usually have more crushable distance surrounding the passenger cabin, more self-cushioning. They also have more empty interior space around the occupants, which gives more room for them to move against their restraints during the impact without smacking anything hard. Vehicle size protects in both single-vehicle and car-to-car crashes.” Just the bed of the truck could save occupants lives in the event of being rear ended. The engine compartment of a truck is also much larger than a car due
Imagine that you’re driving on an open highway in the middle of summer. All you see in front of you is asphalt for miles and miles. The windows are down and your favorite song comes on the radio. You’re behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S, the newest electric car that can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in 2.4 seconds. This will soon be the future of all motor vehicles. Electric cars are beginning to have colossal impacts on our society because of their energy efficiency, performance benefits, and the fact that they are less harmful to the environment. In the near future, electric cars will dominate the road and eventually the planet’s overall need for oil will decrease immensely.
Safety investigators told the New York Times that sleepy or drowsy driving is far more problematic than it is perceived to be. The exact number of accidents caused by heavy trucks is hard to come by. For example, a 2007 FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation Study found, “Fatigue, drinking alcohol, and speeding are major factors in motor vehicle crashes overall,” but lumped falling asleep with being physically impaired for others reasons, such as a heart attack, all under the “non-performance” causes of
Motor accidents are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States. In the year 2000 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that around 41,000 people were killed in traffic accidents within the United States. This mortality rate has since dropped 25% from 2000 to 2009 (Rockett et al., 2012). There are many reasons for motor vehicle injuries, ranging from lack of seat belt use, elderly drivers, alcohol and young children being improperly secured. All of these things factor into motor injuries differently and must be addressed as a separate problem. Highway safety is an important issue in public health and many things have already been implemented to help reduce accidents and injuries. Actions like mandatory seat use, shatter resistant windshields, speed limits, and child restraints.
Tesla is highly recognized for its excellent lead in the enhancement of a sustainable future. In summary, there is a need for protecting the environment to become cleaner, greener and sustainable one. With the number of vehicles that operate globally on petroleum and diesel, the environment will be wasted and totally degraded in a short time. It is important to apply such new technologies for the better of the future. Tesla been a pioneer in this industry has brought about changes that can be applied to change the world. For this reason, as many companies as possible should embrace the strategy of Tesla in the development of a sustainable future.