NEENAH, Wis. — The new J.J. Keller Encompass Video Event Management and Dash Cam Pro are now available.

Using artificial intelligence to detect and record dangerous driving behavior in combination with the advanced reporting and diagnostic capabilities of J.J. Keller’s compliance dashboard, the platform offers an end-to-end solution for fleets interested in improving driver behaviors that will result in better CSA scores and safer highways, according to Tom Reader, senior director of marketing.

“This is one of many substantial new product and service releases for the Encompass® Fleet Management System in 2019,” Reader said. “We’re excited to continue offering technologies and advisory tools our customers depend on to improve performance and make informed safety decisions for their fleets.”

Beyond using dash cam technology to capture video footage of events and accidents, fleets can use the data provided to build better coaching programs, exonerate innocent drivers, and reward drivers for good behavior.

The compliance dashboard allows companies to perform queries by overall fleet performance and by driver, including:

• Top drivers: Drivers with the lowest incident rates
• Event rates and trends: Frequency of driving behaviors
• Coaching required: Drivers with events

Find more information and videos of driving events captured by the dash cam by visiting KellerEncompass.com/Dash-Cam-Pro.

J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. is a well-known name in safety and regulatory compliance. Since its beginning as a one-man consulting firm in 1953, the company has grown to over 1,400 associates serving more than 600,000 customers — including over 90% of the Fortune 1000 companies.

The company’s subject-matter spans nearly 1,500 topics, and its diverse solutions include ELogs and mobile technology; training via online courses, streaming video or DVD; online management tools; managed services; consulting services; online and print publications; forms and supplies.

For more information, visit JJKeller.com.

ELYRIA, Ohio — Often in trucking, it takes just a small change to make a big impact. This is especially true in tire pressure, where the difference of a few psi can directly affect mileage, maintenance, and safety.

During National Tire Safety Week, May 20-27, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems stresses that with all that is riding on a truck’s tires — driver safety, operating performance, timely cargo delivery, and more — it’s vital to be sure of the right pressure in them.

Sponsored annually by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), National Tire Safety Week is an initiative aimed at providing information on the essentials of proper tire care and maintenance.

“Proper tire inflation will substantially impact your tire and ultimately your vehicle’s performance,” said Jon Intagliata, Bendix product manager for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). “Fuel consumption can increase, stopping distances can increase, and tread life can decrease if the tires run on significantly different psi than what is recommended by the manufacturer — all of which can dramatically affect a fleet’s total cost of ownership (TCO) over the long haul, too.”

According to the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, running on a tire that’s underinflated by as little as 10 percent can reduce fuel economy by 1.5 percent. And 20 percent underinflation can shorten tire life by 30 percent. The more miles driven and the more wheel-ends in a fleet, the bigger the impact those few psi have on the bottom line. Underinflated tires also experience increased stress and generate higher running temperatures, compounding the risk of tire blowouts – about 90 percent of which are the result of underinflation, according to industry studies.

Real-Time Info on the Road

“Gradual tire pressure loss can be difficult to detect, and you could be quite a way down the road before you have a chance to notice it at the next spot check,” Intagliata said. “That’s why the best tool for tracking the proper psi on each tire is a technology like the SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System by Bendix CVS – or the SmarTire Trailer-Link TPMS by Bendix CVS for trailers: When drivers get real-time information and pressure alerts, they’re better equipped for safer trucking. Early notification makes all the difference in addressing problems before they become hazards.”

It takes as little as a 5 psi difference between dual-mounted tires to create problems, including irregular or accelerated tire wear.

Bendix uses wheel-mounted sensors inside the tires on its SmarTire systems, allowing the TPMS to continuously monitor temperature inside the tire as well as pressure. This means the system can provide a deviation value showing the amount of overinflation or underinflation from the tire’s cold inflation pressure (CIP), automatically taking into account any increase in pressure due to temperature to provide early alerts of tire pressure issues. Reading temperature also helps the system alert the driver to potential wheel-end issues, such as dragging brakes, and may help the driver mitigate potential tire fires.

Fleets running TPMS-equipped vehicles can also use the system data to shape their tire strategy and maintenance plans by using a back-office system like SafetyDirect by Bendix CVS – a web portal that allows analysis of real-time information from TPMS and other connected safety technologies. Fleets can maximize uptime by planning vehicle service in advance and more effectively address issues such as frequent tire replacements and tire failures on the road.

High Tech, High Stakes

As vehicle safety technologies have advanced and higher regulatory standards have evolved – antilock brakes, Reduced Stopping Distance requirements, and the full-stability mandate, for instance – the importance of tires in good condition running at proper inflation has increased. Moving forward, collision mitigation and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) remain dependent upon precise and controlled interaction among the men and women behind the wheel, their vehicles, and the road itself – where tires are the sole point of contact.

“Today’s integrated vehicles mean you need to equip the best set of tools on your tractor and trailer to maximize performance,” Intagliata said. “TPMS can play a critical role to guarantee your advanced safety systems – including air disc brakes and advanced driver assistance technologies – are functioning at the optimal levels.”

According to Intagliata, “Like any safety system, a TPMS is meant to complement safe driving practices and is not intended to enable or encourage aggressive driving. No technology can replace skilled, alert drivers exercising safe habits, or the support of proactive, comprehensive driver training – the safe operation of any vehicle remains with the driver at all times.”

Bendix® SmarTire and SafetyDirect are part of Bendix’s full suite of technologies delivering safety, vehicle performance, and efficiency, backed by unparalleled post-sales support: areas critical to the success of fleets and owner-operators. By strengthening return on investment in advanced equipment that puts drivers behind the wheels of safer trucks, Bendix lowers total cost of ownership and helps enhance highway safety across North America.

To learn more about Bendix TPMS, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit bendix.com. For deeper insight on Bendix technology and the commercial vehicle landscape through podcasts, blogs, videos, and more, visit the Knowledge Dock at knowledge-dock.com.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Professional drivers can receive free TirePass inspections and half-priced DOT inspections from May 27-June 6 at Love’s Truck Tire Care and Speedco.

Officials at Love’s and Speedco said they wanted to help drivers prepare for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 2019 International Roadcheck.

The CVSA International Roadcheck takes place June 4-6, and inspectors will be out across the U.S. conducting inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers.

It’s the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world

The focus of this year’s Roadcheck is on steering and suspension violations. Both components are examined during a DOT inspection at Love’s and Speedco. Preemptively repairing out-of-service conditions saves professional drivers money and time.

“Love’s and Speedco not only make sure drivers are safe and legal on the road, we realize how important time is to the driver, and we want to exceed their expectations,” said Tom Edwards, executive vice president of Tire Care for Love’s. “Love’s saves drivers time by having the TirePass inspection completed while they fuel up and it keeps them safe by offering DOT inspections to proactively repair any issues.”

Edwards said tire-related issues tend to be at the top of the list for placing drivers out of service. “Using Love’s TirePass ensures any potential tire-related compliance violations are identified and properly addressed before professional drivers roll up to an inspection,” he said.

Love’s TirePass is an in-lane tire inflation and assessment service, available on the inside diesel lane at Love’s Travel Stops across the country.

During the 2018 International Roadcheck, 11,910 vehicles were found to have out-of-service conditions. The top out-of-service conditions were brakes, tires and wheels and brake adjustment.