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| Goal | To develop low-cost commercial technologies allowing identification of trailer characteristics at the powered unit.
| | Background | In North America, powered heavy trucks often haul a variety of towed units during their operation. In most cases, the tractor and the trailer(s) do not stay coupled through the life span of the vehicles. Common commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation involves a tractor hauling different trailers as often as each trip. Furthermore, the typical lifecycle of a trailer is much longer than that of a tractor. There are operational and economic reasons that contribute to these market dynamics, and the most important ramification is that tractors often have to haul a wide variety of old and new trailers with substantially differing characteristics. In addition, little-to-no information (that can be automatically detected without driver input) is available to the tractor as to what is being towed. This phenomenon is creating a technological barrier for the development or optimization of advanced safety systems for combination vehicles.
| | Summary | This project has researched wired and wireless methods to identify critical trailer characteristics at the tractor. During the Phase I study, the research team developed a simple and modular framework of power-line-based communications between the tractor and trailer units. On June 24, 2013, the Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Project on this study has been awarded to Mainstream Engineering Corporation, funded by the Technology Division. During the Phase I study, the contractor designed and prototyped a patent-pending low-cost, low-maintenance, easy-to-install and modular vehicle monitoring system, which enables sharing of information among trailers, tractor, driver, maintenance personnel, and enforcement. The capabilities enabled by this research include dynamic identification of trailers and trailer attributes (such as lengths, identifiers, etc. for each and every unit attached) and trailer system statuses (such as brake light circuit health, antilock brake system condition, etc.) as well as activation of backup lights on trailers when a tractor is put in reverse. Phase II study includes design, manufacturing, and extensive testing of pre-production level components and systems in volumes and field testing and fine tuning of system architecture. Phase II effort also involves industry partnership, engagement, and further development of a robust commercialization plan.
| | Outcomes | Pre-production samples and commercial modules.
| | Milestones | - August 2012
- June 2013
- May 2015
| Phase I SBIR research completed.
Phase II SBIR research commencement.
Phase II SBIR research completion.
| | Funding | | $150,000
$600,000 | FMCSA Research and Technology
FMCSA Research and Technology |
| | Status | Phase I work is completed. Phase II contract was awarded in June 2013.
| | Project Lead | For more information, contact Dr. Cem Hatipoglu of FMCSA's Technology Division at (202) 385-2383 or cem.hatipoglu@dot.gov.
| | Contractor | Virginia Technical Transportation Institute | | | October 2013 |
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