As we here on the northern hemisphere of the globe are approaching the warmer seasons, it is hard to plan for the next winter. With some simple steps you keep your system maintained so that it can keep supporting you the next winter. Learn how.
: Commercial Drivers
"Onspot saves a lot of time" - Jakob, Driver @ Meyer Logistics
Experienced driver or beginner, driving on snowy and icy roads is a risky situation for everyone. These risks, however,can be reduced by applying the following advice.
Internet communication and services play an important role in the transportation and logistics industry, as well as for the truck drivers. However, there is a possible side-effect to common online behaviour that may put extra pressure on the commercial truck driver…
We should pay special attention to bridges and overpasses when driving in temperatures around the freezing point. Over the years we have heard that bridges may be icy while the road is not. We have also seen signs posted before bridges and overpasses which state this for safety reasons. This condition however is an important one that should be given some consideration. So how could the bridge be icy when the road is not? Here’s why.
The first winter storm of the season often catches many of us by surprise. Soon most of us will have had our first big burst of winter weather. The snow-covered roads and plow trucks are an obvious indicator that we should be vigilant while driving. But what about when ice is present without these visual cues? Black ice is the winter threat many of us fail to observe until it’s too late.
The automatic snow chains are genius when you encounter adverse road conditions in the colder seasons. With just a flip of a switch you have instant traction added so that you can get up in speed or if you need to stop, you get improved breaking power.
But what about the rest of the year, when you are not in the winter season? In the middle of the summer or in the autumn?
Friction and traction are key to avoid sliding vehicles and spinning wheels.
Friction is defined as the rubbing of one object or surface against another. The friction between your vehicles’ tires and the road will determine maximum acceleration and minimum stopping distance. The force of friction depends on the force pushing the objects or surfaces together and the coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction is the relationship between the force required to move the surfaces against each other and the pressure to stay in contact while in motion.
The Driver is in control
We live in the era of automation. Have you ever thought of all the things that used to need a lot of human involvement, but today are seemingly automatic? Buying things for example. We have access to a global supply of products and services that are just a few clicks away, and we get our deliveries with very little human involvement. It’s different systems that communicate and automate that provide this convenience.
Optimisation is key to the transportation industry. From a logistics perspective, trucks should never roll unladen. The bigger truck fill rate, the better. New technologies and driving techniques are developed with the aim of reducing fuel consumption which is good both for the business economy and the environment. Looking at such major factors as fill rate and fuel consumption, is there reason to consider optimisation of such a tiny thing as tyre pressure? Yes, there is!