Road to driverless trucks clogged with unanswered questions

Driver training, safety, and cybersecurity among the topics discussed during FMCSA listening session.

With nearly daily media reports detailing new breakthroughs of highly automated commercial vehicles (HACVs), it may seem they are almost ready for large-scale use.

Yet a public listening session sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) illustrated just how many questions remain to be answered before the technology can become a reality on the nation’s highways.

“There is a gigantic void between what is reality and what is the Hollywood version of what is going on. We are a long, long way from a truly driverless truck, and I think everyone in this room knows that,” said Tom Balzer, president of the Ohio Trucking Association.

Source: http://fleetowner.com/regulations/road-driverless-trucks-clogged-unanswered-questions

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FAST FACT
The new available Duramax 6.6L offers the segment’s highest diesel horsepower rating.

BASE PRICE
$36,185

EPA VEHICLE CLASS
Full-size truck

NEW FOR 2017

• New Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine with a 19-percent increase in torque over the previous model and segment-leading horsepower: 445 (322 kW)
• Teen Driver, which encourages safe driving habits with teenagers, enabling parents to view the vehicle’s maximum speed, distance driven and the number of times active safety features were engaged during a drive
• Capless fuel fill (gas models with cargo box)
• Exterior colors: Dark Slate Metallic and Pepperdust Metallic

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• Regular, double cab and crew cab models are offered across the lineup. Regular cab models feature an 8’ box, while double cab and crew cab models are available with 6’6” or 8’ boxes
• Dual-rear-wheel configurations are available
• Trim levels include Sierra, SLE, SLT and Sierra Denali
• Sierra Denali is offered exclusively as a crew cab and matches do-it-all capability with an exclusive package of design and upscale interior amenities, including a signature chrome grille, 18-inch chrome aluminum wheels (17-inch polished aluminum with dual rear wheels), body-color front and rear bumpers, specific interior details, exclusive eight-inch customizable driver display, wireless phone charging and more
• Sierra All Terrain HD premium off-road package is offered on SLT crew cab 4WD models, featuring unique 18-inch chrome aluminum wheels and all-terrain tires, spray-on bedliner, Z71 suspension with Rancho twin-tube shocks, exclusive exterior and interior cues and more (not available with dual rear wheels)
• The Z71 suspension is available on SLE and SLT models without the All Terrain package (not available with dual rear wheels)
• Available snow plow prep package
• Standard automatic locking rear differential reacts in milliseconds in low-traction situations to improve safety and confidence on wet, snowy or muddy surfaces
• Nearly two-thirds of the cab structure composed of high-strength steel
• Strong, versatile cargo box features two-tier loading capability, integrated tie-downs and accessibility via the CornerStep rear bumper and EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate
• Standard StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway
• Integrated cruise control, auto grade braking and diesel exhaust braking, for greater driving control and reduced brake wear on grades
• Digital Steering Assist power steering enables easier handling and maneuverability, greater steering response, greater road-holding capability and greater stability control assistance (included on SLE, SLT and Denali crew cab models and double cab models with Duramax diesel engine)
• Available Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel Trailering Prep Package

SAFETY FEATURES

• Frontal driver and right front-passenger single-stage air bags are standard
• Thorax side-impact (driver and front passenger) and head curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard seating positions are standard on Denali and available on other models
• Rear Vision camera system (available on Sierra and included on SLE, SLT and Denali; not available with box delete)
• Standard StabiliTrak stability control system with rollover mitigation technology, trailer sway control and hill start assist
• Driver Alert Package — available on SLE and SLT; standard on Denali — includes Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Seat and Front and Rear Park Assist 

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