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Truck
Crash Reconstruction
“OBC” / “GPS” / “ECM’S”
Satellite Positioning
“GPS” and onboard computer systems “OBC”
are installed on approximately 70 % of modern trucking vehicles.
These technology advanced programs add great flexibility to the
trucking industry in driver communication, maintenance, monitoring
freight and deliveries and safety. The circular antenna that looks
like the old “popcorn popper” is mounted on the rear
of the truck or on the roof area under fairings and beams information
to satellites over 11,000 miles overhead. Some systems use cellular
or ground based technology to communicate. The latest technology
being used is through the Internet. “GPS” and positioning
data can be beamed back to headquarters either in real time or
as needed. Messages from the trucking company computers travel
over the phone line to the satellite provider’s center and
get beamed to communications satellite or cell tower which relays
it to the truck.
This is greatly advanced
from the earliest recording device the “tachograph”
invented in 1921. Tachographs record vehicle speed, engine RPM
and distance traveled onto a rotating, circular 24- hour chart
that is changed regularly. Tachographs are still in use in Europe
on heavy trucks, buses and emergency vehicles. Modern, advanced
systems use sensors mounted all through the truck to monitor engines,
ABS brakes, transmissions and other systems on the truck and trucking
company personnel can remotely monitor the truck’s speed,
fuel consumption and vital signs from engines and transmissions
in real time seamless integrated systems. Settings and adjustments
to components can also be checked and / or adjusted.
Internet communications
have added instant communication to download reports from trucks,
provide shippers and receivers real time freight updates and lower
costs for this growing technology. Trailer “GPS” tracking
for speed, position, loaded or unloaded, hooked or unhooked and
security reasons has been the latest development in the trucking
industry.
“ECM” electronic
control modules control modules since the late 90’s can
record more than engine data and are extremely sophisticated.
They can provide a wealth of information on many actions of the
truck. These modules compile and store data over a period of time.
The same sensors as discussed earlier to provide information to
trucking companies computers also provide information to the “ECM”.
“ECM”S” not connected to trucking company computers
can be downloaded by truck dealers or third party vendors and
printouts provided. Onboard engine displays, in the driver’s
cab, provides some of the same information to the driver but has
no recording capabilities.
These important systems
are sometimes overlooked in truck crashes because understanding
and deciphering this information is complex. Each system is unique
and provides reports in different formats.
©2003
Robert Reed
robert5585@sbcglobal.net
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to October 2003 Newsletter |
