Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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commercial carrier journal | november 2016 55 more home-like feel for drivers. "Ergonomic dashes where they can reach the switches with easy accessibil- ity," says Chris Stadler, Volvo's product marketing manager for regional haul applications, listing a focus of cab design. "And some comfort in the living quarters and in the driving seat as well." Where OEMs are challenged is tak- ing care of the driver without canni- balizing efficiency. "What we see with the demand for better fuel economy is that [fleets] don't want to sacrifice the performance of these engines," Stadler says. Jeff Sass, Navistar's senior vice president of sales and marketing, says adding to cab-friendly specs is the fact that fleets spend upwards of $5,000 per driver to recruit and train them, mak- ing retention a top priority. "Driver retention equals cost of own- ership," Sass says. Less wear and tear Fleets looking to improve their bot- tom line and embrace comforts have gravitated toward automated manual transmissions – so much so that 85 per- cent of all new Volvo trucks leave the assembly line with one installed. "What we've seen and what I've expe- rienced is there's less wear and tear on the body," Stadler says. "Also, mentally you're not having to prepare for that next change of shiing when traffic conditions change." Fully automated-clutch pedal-free shiing allows drivers to focus on the road rather than the next gear, says Stu Russoli, Mack Trucks' highway product manager. at leads to reduced fatigue, as drivers no longer have to row through the gears. "Our mDrive makes it simpler and less intimidating for new drivers to become experienced drivers, which is definitely more driver-friendly," Russoli says. Freightliner and Navistar, each of which are building updated trucks in the months ahead, added a one-piece windshield to their new units along with eliminating the vent window from the doors – moves aimed at boosting visibility. Denny Mooney, Navistar's senior vice president of global product develop- ment, says the company redesigned the mirrors on its new LT Series to allow the driver to turn his head 15 percent less on the driver's side and 5 percent less on the passenger side. "It may not sound like a lot, but aer 11 hours of driving and turning your head, it is a ton of driver fatigue," Sass says. Kenneth Stiltner, a driver for 37 years who currently drives a ProStar for Baltimore-based Cowan Systems (No. 61), says the new mirror was among his favorite innovations on the Internation- al LT truck that eventually will succeed the ProStar as the company's flagship on-highway product. "I don't have to go looking for what I want to see," Stiltner says. "It's right there. Putting the gauges where they should be makes a big difference when you're driving a truck." Hummer specs air-release fih wheels, eliminating the need to manu- ally pull out the fih wheel handle and protecting his drivers' elbows and backs. But the body isn't the only thing than can get battered around aer half a day on the highway. Mental fatigue also is something Hummer has looked to improve with his truck specs by including equipment such as AMTs – which he says will be a standard spec going forward – as well as hood mirrors, bullbars and Bendix's Wingman System. "ose are all safety things for the driver," he says. "It keeps them a little safer and offers some peace of mind." Boosting ergonomics Daimler Trucks North America partnered with Teague, a designer of Boeing airplane interiors, to help develop the interior of the new Casca- dia, including its lighting, storage and ergonomic features. e result was a wraparound dashboard that includes switches and steering wheel controls designed to allow drivers of all sizes to work without leaning and stretching. Derek Leathers, chief executive offi- cer of Werner Enterprises (No. 11), says he was struck by the comfort afforded to even the tallest drivers. "I'm 6-foot-5 and loved getting inside and walking around and experiencing the roominess and some of the new cabinetry and features," Leathers says. Max Fuller, chairman and CEO of U.S. Xpress (No. 14), agrees. "e dash layout is cleaner," Fuller says. "It's easier Today's modern truck dashboards include switches and steering wheel and information controls designed to allow drivers of all sizes to work more easily.