UPDATING TRUCK DRIVERS ABOUT WEATHER/ROAD …



UPDATING TRUCK DRIVERS ABOUT WEATHER/ROAD CONDITIONS

Compiled by Daniel B. Kuhn

UDOT Railroad & Freight Planner

March 23, 2010

Overview:

Given the time-sensitive nature of most highway freight, one of the most critical needs of truck drivers is to have access to accurate and frequently-updated information about issues that affect the routes they are driving. Weather, road construction, accidents, traffic delays, and other factors can have a major impact on a trucker’s ability to get over the road within prescribed hours of service laws. These factors become particularly acute to the drivers of the thousands of refrigerated (reefer) trucks which carry much of America’s and Canada’s perishable and time-sensitive food supply.

The following is input from recent meetings conducted by UDOT’s Railroad & Freight Planner with the trucking industry here in Utah which focused on highway freight needs, and how best to inform drivers of the aforementioned issues and problems when they are out on the road.

1) Internet:

This is the least used of the informational mediums available to drivers en route. Updating UDOT’s various highway information websites with a quick link to an area with information geared to truckers would be of more valuable than the current auto/commuter-oriented displays.

2) Highway Advisory Radio (HAR):

Almost as little used as the Internet. No drivers at our meetings stated that they ever used this medium of communication. However, HAR combined with more extensive variable message signs was given as a very desirable and workable way to get information to drivers en route.

3) Calling 511:

As with the Internet, those interviewed felt that this phone system is geared to commuters and general motorists and not truckers. It is rarely used, but would be more used if a quick prompt were available to provide trucking-oriented information.

4) Variable Message Signs (VMS):

This was the overwhelming favorite of the trucking industry. VMS at strategic “decision points” along primary freight routes, including those located in adjacent states, is the most effective at getting critical route-decision information to drivers. It has been suggested to incorporate HAR with each sign so if speed, weather, or other factors prevent a driver from seeing a complete message, he can quickly tune-in and hear the full message on his radio.

A coordinated system of VMS and HAR across western and Midwestern primary freight corridors, such as I-80, U.S. 6, etc., would allow truckers to make decisions that will keep them out of problem areas and assist in moving western America’s highway commerce with a minimum of delays. Keeping trucks out of problem areas also is beneficial to DOT and other emergency personnel who don’t need the added congestion trucks bring to a problem situation.

Conclusion:

It is the opinion of UDOT’s Railroad & Freight Planner that the previously-mentioned combined system of VMS and HAR would be the best system for getting vital road condition and traffic information to truckers en route. An electronic connection to participatory trucking company dispatch centers would be another level of communication to catch drivers as they are leaving major terminals.

If such a system were to be put into operation, a central coordinating center for the western states would be needed. UDOT’s own Traffic Operations Center would be a logical and ideal location for such an operation, given our status as the literal crossroads of the western highway system.

If you have any questions or would like additional information on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact Daniel B. Kuhn of UDOT at (801) 965-4148 or via e-mail at dkuhn@.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download