Going back a few years to when the earth was still cooling, dinosaurs ruled, and I first entered the wireless industry working for Motorola, we were taught a mantra for setting customer's coverage expectations...."90% of the places, 90% of the time." Even with the advent of GEO and now LEO satellite communications, it may be reasonable to bump up the percentage a bit....but the mantra holds true. There are just too many variables, even with combined satellite and terrestrial communications, to make the 100% claim. Buildings, trees, valleys and other physical blockages, atmospheric conditions, sunspots, and more all factor in.
I still hear that 100% expectation in the course of doing business though - now in the fleet management space. No question it is a noble goal, but that's all. In my opinion, any vendor that promises, implies or suggests to a customer the possibility of 100% wireless coverage should be met with high scrutiny regarding any of the other "commitments" they may be making.
Author: Steve Katz
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
More Truck Crashes Highlight Importance of EOBR/OBCs and FMCSA’s upcoming Ruling
Yesterday’s accident in Illinois was another example of the critical role that electronic on-board recorders (EOBR) and on-board computers (OBC) have in the transportation business and a fleet management strategy. A trailer hauling 14 tons of Oreo cookies overturned on I-80 at around 4am, 50 miles southwest of Chicago.
The driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the median. The trailer was owned by a leading, national for-hire trucking company.
While it is not known whether the vehicle was using any type of on-board system, any time a driver falls asleep at the wheel, hours of service (HOS) compliance comes into question. To address this issue the FMCSA will release a final EOBR rule this fall, potentially involving incentives and/or mandates for the use of EOBRs .
Not only would HOS violations be identified and potentially avoided, excessive speed audible warnings could also aid in helping prevent some accidents.
Author: Frank Moreno
The driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the median. The trailer was owned by a leading, national for-hire trucking company.
While it is not known whether the vehicle was using any type of on-board system, any time a driver falls asleep at the wheel, hours of service (HOS) compliance comes into question. To address this issue the FMCSA will release a final EOBR rule this fall, potentially involving incentives and/or mandates for the use of EOBRs .
Not only would HOS violations be identified and potentially avoided, excessive speed audible warnings could also aid in helping prevent some accidents.
Author: Frank Moreno
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