Drivewyze offers free traffic safety alerts to truck drivers
by May 13, 2024 7:57 am 624 views
Canada-based transportation technology firm Drivewyze Inc. has collaborated with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) and Arkansas Trucking Association to provide free, in-cab traffic alerts to drivers traveling on Arkansas interstates and freeways.
According to a Thursday (May 9) news release, the alerts are delivered via the Drivewyze-connected truck network and notify drivers of unexpected traffic congestion and other safety hazards. They’re offered free to commercial carriers because of support from ArDOT, Arkansas Highway Police and the Arkansas Trucking Association.
More than 800 miles of Arkansas roads are monitored for real-time traffic activity through Drivewyze’s Smart Roadways service, helping state agencies extend the reach of their safety messaging programs into trucks. Along with the real-time alerts, drivers will also receive virtual sign messaging, helping drivers prepare for special traffic conditions or be advised of alternative routes.
Arkansas is the 10th state to offer these alerts, which comprise visual in-cab messages such as “sudden slowdown ahead” along with an audible chime. The alerts are expected to provide drivers with ample time to slow down or stop, if necessary. The program is provided for free to drivers and fleets as part of the Drivewyze Free safety service, which runs on most electronic logging devices, telematics devices, smartphones and tablets.
“With so much truck traffic in our state, we wanted to find a way to inform truckers traveling on major roadways of sudden slowdowns,” said Joe Hawkins, state intelligent transportation systems engineer of ArDOT. “It’s clear that if a truck driver knows of an upcoming sudden slowdown before he or she sees brake lights, accidents can be avoided. It takes a lot of time for a truck to slow down, and the extra time afforded by these alerts can make all the difference in preventing a crash.”
According to the release, more than 60% of traffic on Interstate 40 between Little Rock and Memphis, Tenn., consists of big rigs.
“The interstates of Arkansas are a prominent workplace for the men and women in the trucking industry,” said Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association. “Anything we can do to make the roadways safer for them and the motoring public is a win for everyone. We know that our carriers invest heavily in safety. Connected truck technology can amplify this by providing critical safety information to an exponential number of drivers when and where they need it most.”
Link here to learn more about the new program. Drivewyze, which has its U.S. headquarters in Plano, Texas, offers technology for commercial fleets, drivers and transportation infrastructure owners and operators.