Kenworth's T2000 High-Tech Truck Features Safety and Driver Convenience Systems
IVsource.net
18 August 2000

Since spring of this year, Kenworth (which sells about 60,000 heavy trucks annually and is part of the PACCAR group) has been touring the country with their T2000 technology show truck.  An examination of the truck's features provides an exciting glimpse of where the industry may be going in advanced safety systems and driver aids.

Truck OEMs typically equip show trucks such as these to gauge customer response to a variety of features within the truck, as well as the general reaction to the vehicle's styling and ergonomics.  For a particular technology to "show up" on  a show truck is an indication that company marketing managers believe that it may have appeal; whether the features move into the product domain depends on customer reactions at truck shows.

“Kenworth’s new T2000 High-Tech Truck is designed to provide better information in two key areas – to other drivers in the vehicle’s vicinity and to the truck driver,” said Ed Caudill, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “This will help to promote safety and driver efficiency and comfort.”   The  T2000 is Kenworth's premium on-highway model.

The truck especially emphasizes safety. “Kenworth’s focus is to explore technologies that can help make trucks safer both for truck drivers and for other vehicles sharing the road,” Caudill said. 

The vehicle features a number of safety-related items: 

• A vision system uses miniature video cameras with monitors in the cab to aid the driver in making lane changes, backing up, and turning tight corners.  Cameras in the side mirrors provide rear-viewing images, and a sleeper-mounted, passenger-side camera offers a curb view.  The system supplements existing mirror and window visibility. 

• Forward-looking night vision extends the driver’s vision farther down the road and outward onto the shoulder. 

• A driver drowsiness monitor tracks the driver’s performance in keeping the vehicle in its lane and gives an alertness rating based on that performance.  When that score falls below a pre-determined threshold, the system beeps with an audible warning and displays a “stop driving” message.   The Assistware SafeTRAC system is in use, which is now available as a factory option from Kenworth.

• A clutchless, automatic transmission makes the truck easier to drive and helps reduce driver fatigue. 

• An electronic navigation system lets the driver enter a destination and get visual directions.  Verbal directions also are available, helping keep the driver’s attention on the road. 

• A hands-free cell phone allows the driver to answer, talk, and even verbally dial while keeping both hands on the steering wheel. 

• An Electronic Braking System, or EBS, uses “brake-by-wire” technology instead of pneumatics to control a vehicle’s traditional air-brake system. EBS is being evaluated to determine its ability to improve braking performance.   Disc brakes with computerized lining-wear sensors are also included.  (Similar technology is being evaluated within the Volvo heavy truck operational test within USDOT's IVI program.)

• Flat-panel electronic gauges offer easy viewing and are customizable by driver and application. The gauges give drivers the information they need to know when they need to know it. 

Smarter Brake Lights -- Even in Front

For example, a light on the back of the Kenworth High-Tech Truck shows green when the truck driver has a foot on the gas pedal, yellow when the truck is coasting, and red when the truck is braking.  During a panic stop, brake lights and emergency flashers appear. 

Kenworth also added another new wrinkle -- front brake lights. “When a vehicle cuts in too close, or within the truck’s safe stopping zone, the front brake lights flash rapidly for a few seconds to alert that driver,” Bechtold said.  “Stopping distances are based on vehicle speed and road conditions, so we’ve also given the truck electronic sensors to monitor road temperature and conditions.” 
 

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... access www.kenworth.com.
 

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Kenworth's boss new T2000 demo truck looks great ... but the coolest view -- enhanced by  multiple video cameras and night vision -- is reserved for the driver