Drivewyze, a leader in connected truck services has announced that the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) have collaborated to provide free in-cab safety alerts for commercial truck drivers traveling on Arkansas interstates and freeways. Thanks to ARDOT, Arkansas Highway Police and the support of the ATA, these proactive safety alerts are provided free of charge to commercial carriers and are delivered via the Drivewyze connected truck network. They will give drivers heads-up notifications of unexpected traffic congestion and other safety hazards.
More than 800 miles of roadways in Arkansas are monitored for real-time traffic activity through Drivewyze’s Smart Roadways service, which helps state agencies to send messages through safety messaging programs right into the cabs of commercial trucks. In addition to real-time alerts, Arkansas is providing drivers with virtual sign messaging informing drivers of special traffic conditions or alternative routes.
“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 from Arkansas DOT. “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.”
Arkansas provides a major shipping corridor for the country with I-40 taking most of the traffic, connecting California and North Carolina. It’s estimated that more than 60% of the traffic between Little Rock and Memphis consists of 18-wheelers. Some of the most prominent trucking companies in the United States call Arkansas home as well.
Arkansas is the 10th state to offer these alerts, providing an audible chime and visual in-cab messages such as “sudden slowdown ahead.” The notifications are set up to allow ample time for trucks to slow down or stop, as necessary. The program is provided for free to drivers and fleets as part of the Drivewyze Free safety service, which runs on most smartphones, tablets, electronic logging devices and telematics devices.
Strategic virtual signs in trucks can also help drivers prepare for unexpected events and unusual traffic patterns.
“Recently, we provided alerts on the solar eclipse, giving truckers a heads up that normal traffic patterns would be impacted due to increased traffic in our state for those coming to view the eclipse,” said Monica Saffle of ARDOT’s Traffic Management Center. “It’s just another innovative way we can help truckers.”
“The interstates of Arkansas are a prominent workplace for the men and women in the trucking industry. Anything we can do to make the roadways safer for them and the motoring public is a win for everyone,” said Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton. “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.”
The alerts are available for free through a recently introduced service called Drivewyze Free. This allows fleets and drivers using telematics devices, smartphones or tablets, to receive in-cab safety alerts and advisories in advance of potentially risky areas on the roadway. Drivewyze Free includes access to agency-sponsored real-time alerts and advisories. In addition, the service comes loaded with core message sets, including Drivewyze sponsored alerts and advisories for high-rollover risk areas, low bridges and mountain alerts (steep grade ahead, chain-up/brake check stations, runaway ramps).
“We’re thrilled that the Arkansas DOT and its highway police division have come on board to invest in safety with in-vehicle alerts designed especially for truckers,” said Brian Heath, CEO of Drivewyze. “The state has a great partnership with the Arkansas Trucking Association, and it was gratifying to see the collaboration the two organizations have and are building on with the rollout and support for this new safety program. With so many trucks residing and passing through the state, we know we can move the needle on highway safety.”
Drivers or fleets should visit www.drivewyze.com/free to sign up for the program.
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