SafetyDirect from Bendix CVS, a Web portal that provides fleet operators with a comprehensive view of their fleet and each driver, now connects to three of the company’s onboard safety technologies.

The Bendix Wingman Advanced collision-mitigation system, ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system, and SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) optimize SafetyDirect by providing it with safety performance data, which the system then delivers to fleet operators as actionable information (pictured here coming through to a smart phone).

A fourth onboard safety system, the AutoVue Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System (bought from Iteris last year), was already connected to SafetyDirect.

SafetyDirect reports safety information that's wirelessly transmitted via telematics devices already on the trucks. The system can provide immediate warnings and critical safety information. For example, explains Bendix, fleet operators can easily see if their drivers are having difficulty staying in their lanes – often a first indicator of drowsiness – or other potential problems, such as stability control activation, collision mitigation system activation, or critical tire alerts.

In today’s CSA-driven environment, where safety infractions can threaten   business survival, Bendix correctly claims real safety benefits through such wireless data. The system collects the data from the onboard safety systems into a user-friendly Web portal, and translates it into easy-to-understand information that a fleet can use in daily operations. There's real-time driver performance data, as well as event-based information – including video clips of severe occurrences – for analysis by fleet safety personnel and to aid fleets in developing targeted, ongoing driver education and training. 

Among the essential information on the portal are following-distance histograms, event counters, and system usage details for each driver. This information will better help fleet managers identify risky driver behaviour and provide drivers with targeted training they need to reinforce safe driving practices.

The system captures and reports events in more than a dozen pre-set categories, including excessive curve speed, lane changes without turn signal, and forward collision warning. Data reports can be created for individual drivers and the entire fleet. Bendix can expand the system to meet a fleet’s particular needs by building in certain reporting functions – say, tailgating monitoring – using the fleet’s chosen parameters.

Along with video, severe events are captured and stored with time and date, driver and vehicle ID, odometer reading, vehicle speed, and GPS location.

SafetyDirect is available on vehicles at all major North American OEMs, and it can be retrofitted to vehicles already in service.