Concrete Products

JUL 2015

Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.

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www.concreteproducts.com July 2015 • 9 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NHTSA ESC RULE STAKEHOLDER CONCURRENCE Along with endorsing NHTSA's action on full-stability technology for Class 7-8 trucks, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems assesses ESC performance against vehicle-stabilizing alternatives. "We believe ESC stands alone in terms of safety, performance, and value, and have seen a market acceptance of this tech- nology—over [roll-only stability]—at a rate of three to one," says Director of Government and Industry Affairs Fred Andersky. "This technology is another positive step on the part of our industry toward helping improve highway safety." From the perspective of Bendix, a market leader through its Electronic Stability Pro- gram (ESP) devices, Andersky notes that fleet operators currently equipping vehicles either with automatic brake only or roll-only sta- bility systems need to understand three key differences in order to better prepare for the NHTSA rule: • Full-stability solutions use more sensors than either automatic brake or roll-only stability components, creating a compre- hensive system capable of addressing both roll and directional stability. Additional sensors enable the unit to more quickly recognize factors that could lead to vehicle rollovers or loss-of-control. On dry surfac- es, the system recognizes and mitigates conditions that could lead to rollover and loss-of-control situations sooner than roll-only options. Full-stability technology also functions in a wider range of driving and road conditions than roll-only systems, including snowy, ice-covered, and slippery surfaces. Automatic braking systems are not designed to react to potential roll or loss-of-control situations. • Interventions can differ. Full-stability sys- tems rely on automatic brake interventions involving the steer, drive, and trailer axles, whereas roll-only devices typically apply only drive and trailer axle brakes. Slowing the vehicle quickly helps mitigate rollovers faster, while slowing and redirecting can help the driver maneuver in loss-of-control situations. • Stability systems are the foundation for advanced active safety technologies. As a collision mitigation system detects a pos- sible collision with a forward vehicle and automatically applies the brakes in order to prevent or lessen its severity, for exam- ple, the brake system should help the vehi- cle maintain its stability throughout the maneuver. This level of performance is best achieved with a full-stability system that is consistent with the new NHTSA rule. "In our view, the market had already made its technology choice known prior to the formal introduction of NHTSA's rule. Industry-wide, full stability is outselling roll-only technology three to one, up from three to two in previous years," notes An- dersky. "The increasing adoption of ESC demonstrates the willingness by feets to invest in the technology because of full sta- bility's ability to help reduce the number of heavy truck accidents, improve safety records, and deliver the return on investment." "ESC helps save lives and reduce injuries and accident-related costs," affrms Ste- phen Hanson, president of Meritor WABCO, which introduced its SmartTrac stability control system in 2003. SmartTrac custom- ers' experience entirely supports DOT Sec- retary Foxx's view of ESC as a "remarkable success story," he adds. READY-MIX RECYCLING SOLUTIONS � 24/7/365 Technical Support With All Parts In Stock � Standard, Time Saving Integral Unloading Buffer � Factory Preassembled, Heavy Duty Plate Steel Construction � Professional Dealer Network Complete Recovery Series Aggregate recovery with gray water re-batching technology. Visit www.enviro-port.com or Call 1-800-356-8106 Basic Separation Series Aggregate recovery in succession with settling ponds. Expanded Product Line 16 Models to accommodate all plant sizes. 1-100 trucks

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