ATRI report examines trade views on driver-, road-facing cameras

Trucking information and briefs for Thursday, April 13, 2023:

ATRI report affords perception into driver-facing digicam adoption

The American Transportation Analysis Institute (ATRI) on Wednesday launched a brand new report that investigates trucking trade attitudes and issues in relation to driver-facing and road-facing cameras (DFCs/RFCs).

The analysis hoped to raised perceive truck driver points and perceptions related to the usage of DFCs, and to grasp DFCs’ position in claims and litigation processes. 

It recognized factors of consensus and potential compromise on in-cab digicam techniques and insurance policies amongst truck drivers, motor carriers, authorized consultants and insurers. Based mostly on the evaluation, the report proposes methods for increasing each driver approval and digicam utilization with an eye fixed to enhance security, privateness, litigation and insurance coverage danger administration.

Driver approval of driver-facing cameras tends to be low — simply 2.24 on a 0-to-10 scale amongst 650 present customers from throughout the trade, ATRI discovered. Low scores are pushed partly by restricted expertise, confusion over the number of digicam techniques, unclear provider insurance policies, and robust issues about privateness. 

Privateness was drivers’ greatest concern with DFCs in ATRI’s analysis. Drivers who’ve by no means used DFCs had essentially the most adverse opinion of the know-how, and drivers who at the moment use DFCs have been greater than twice as doubtless as non-users to positively charge DFC privateness advantages. Nonetheless, drivers who at the moment use DFCs rated the techniques simply 1.73 for privateness on a 0-to-10 scale, with drivers who by no means used DFCs score them 0.78 for privateness.

Nonetheless, the report recognized particular provider insurance policies and driver administration approaches that result in greater driver scores. Total driver approval of driver-facing cameras elevated by 87% when carriers used video footage for particular proactive security measures, the analysis discovered. ATRI additionally discovered that direct DFC expertise does have a optimistic affect on approval, with present customers of DFCs score the techniques greater than twice as excessive as drivers who’ve by no means used them.

Extra analyses centered on insurance coverage and litigation concerns for in-cab cameras. Consultants in each fields expressed desire for event-based driver-facing cameras over repeatedly recording cameras, they usually concurred with drivers that main video footage entry ought to be restricted to security managers as a lot as doable.

“Driver-facing cameras are an essential security device for carriers, however they should be managed fastidiously with the intention to leverage advantages with drivers, insurers and attorneys,” mentioned Jerry Sigmon Jr., Chief Working Officer for Cargo Transporters Inc. “ATRI’s analysis on in-cab cameras offers an essential blueprint for each carriers utilizing these applied sciences in addition to carriers nonetheless considering the funding.”

NFI expands SoCal Class 8 electrical fleet

NFI will deploy and function 30 electrical Freightliner eCascadias and 20 Volvo VNR Electrical vehicles from its Ontario, California, warehouse facilityNFINFI (CCJ High 250, No. 23) is increasing its fleet of Class 8 battery-electric vehicles (BETs) in Southern California as a part of the Joint Electrical Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI) undertaking.

Beneath the undertaking, which is designed to indicate that fleets can efficiently scale their BET fleets, NFI will deploy and function 30 electrical Freightliner eCascadias and 20 Volvo VNR Electrical vehicles from its Ontario, California, warehouse facility to assist its devoted port drayage companies for patrons spanning from manufacturing to retail.

NFI has taken supply of the primary 15 of its Class 8 BETs funded by the undertaking, with the remaining ordered vehicles set to be delivered by the tip of June 2023.  

“NFI has labored intently with its OEM companions – Volvo Vehicles and Daimler Truck – over the last a number of years to place battery-electric vehicles to the take a look at on our routes throughout Southern California,” mentioned Sid Brown, CEO, NFI. “By way of the JETSI undertaking and different revolutionary fleet electrification efforts, we’re excited to use our early learnings and each lead the trade and speed up progress towards attaining our sustainability targets. By the tip of this 12 months, we could have 100 Class 8 battery-electric vehicles devoted to port drayage, bringing cleaner air to the communities during which we function.”

By way of its participation in a number of freight electrification tasks, NFI has gained perception into which routes are optimum for BETs, primarily based on the variety of stops, topography, site visitors patterns, freight being transported, and extra. As well as, NFI has collaborated with Volvo Vehicles North America and Daimler Truck North America to configure its vehicles primarily based on its operational wants, in addition to prepare its drivers on how one can lengthen energy within the battery and how one can maximize regenerative braking advantages.   

To put in the charging infrastructure wanted to assist its rising BET fleet, NFI is working intently with Southern California Edison, Electrify Business, and town of Ontario to improve the power’s energy provide and set up 19 350kW energy cupboards, which have 38 electrical car charger dispensers.

NFI’s Ontario charging infrastructure is anticipated to be put in and energized by the tip of 2023. Within the meantime, NFI will quickly function its BETs from its Chino facility, which comprises high-powered charging infrastructure from earlier tasks. 

NMFTA names new COO

The Nationwide Motor Freight Site visitors Affiliation (NMFTA) has named Ray West the group’s new chief working officer.

Ray WestA veteran of the trucking trade with greater than three a long time of expertise – and likewise a Marine — West most just lately served as CEO of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Nascent Applied sciences.

In his new position with NMFTA, he’ll work to make sure operational excellence for the commerce affiliation representing LTL carriers and the trucking trade as an entire – with important emphasis on digital operations, cybersecurity, freight classifications, and the efficient administration of Normal Provider Alpha Codes (SCAC).

“This new place presents a superb opportunity for me to contribute to the transportation sector that has handled me so nicely all through all these years,” West mentioned.

Previous to his most up-to-date position with Nascent, he served as vice chairman of growth with Atlas Van Strains (CCJ High 250, No. 63), and as senior vice chairman and normal supervisor of TMS at Trimble (who acquired TMW Programs). West labored with Atlas to modernize their LTL, truckload and family items divisions by contracting with TMW Programs to reinforce their system with LTL functionality. He additionally oversaw the TruckMate division of TMW, which supplied LTL and intermodal capabilities to many carriers in North America and Australia.

Debbie Ruane Sparks, govt director of NMFTA, mentioned West is a perfect selection to guide NMFTA operations at a time when the affiliation is rising and pursuing important targets for its members.