How Schneider’s truck technology enhances vehicle and driver safety

By The Schneider Guy 

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes 

One of our top goals at Schneider is to provide drivers with new ways to stay safe while driving. We’ve developed a long history of technological trendsetting through implementing new technology to improve vehicle and driver safety.  

We believe embracing new and innovative technology, like the devices mentioned in this blog is one of the best ways to improve drivers’ safety and overall experience while driving. 

Schneider’s semi-truck safety technology  

Over the years, we’ve made it our mission to specially spec our semi-trucks with superior safety technology that enhances driver safety.  

The following are just a few examples of the technology that helps our drivers stay safe: 

1. Cameras. 

To increase driver safety, Schneider has installed three cameras on most semi-trucks. These cameras are located on the dash and on both west-coast mirrors. 

The SmartDrive camera system offers drivers on-demand video capabilities when they need it and can help provide fact-based evidence to help drivers facing claims.  

2. SmartDrive sensor bar. 

This safety device works with the forward-facing cameras installed on trucks and combines GPS, accelerometers and LED feedback lights to help capture data and sense when the forward-facing cameras should start recording. 

The data collected from the sensor bar are then used to improve driver efficiency, performance and safety.  

3. Collision mitigation technology. 

Many of Schneider’s new semi-trucks come equipped with Detroit Assurance 5.0. This advanced braking system is designed to enhance driver safety by detecting distances of objects ahead of each semi-truck. 

Detroit Assurance detects both moving and stationary items and pedestrians ahead of the vehicle, measures their distance and determines if or when braking is necessary.  

This collision mitigation system works by first detecting an object and issuing a following distance alert. If the warning is not heeded by the driver, the system will then issue a collision warning and will automatically activate the truck’s brakes if needed. 

4. Electronic Stability Control system.

This system protects drivers in skid or jackknife situations and takes the capabilities of the old Roll Stability Control system and adds yaw protection. The main things that differentiate the Electronic Stability Control system from the old Roll Stability Control system are the following sensors:

• Yaw sensor: This sensor detects when a truck is traveling in a direction it is not pointed.
• Steering angle sensor: This sensor measures the direction and amount a steering wheel is turned, which allows the truck to then adjust torque and apply brakes to help you steer in the right direction.

5. Side Guard Assist.

Side Guard Assist is a piece of safety technology that is standard in Schneider’s new semi-trucks.

This technology uses a sensor on the passenger side of a truck to detect when there is another vehicle or obstacle located on the right-hand blind spot of the semi-truck. If the sensor detects an object, it alerts the driver by lighting up an indicator located on the passenger-side A-pillar of the semi-truck.

6. Lane departure warning system.

As the name suggests, the lane departure warning system alerts drivers when they have left their lane without using a directional to indicate their change in direction.

When a driver crosses a line on the road without using a turn signal, they hear a rumble sound and see the lane symbol light up on their dashboard.

The purpose of this system is to increase driver safety by ensuring that drivers are alert while driving and are aware of any unintentional lane departures.