November 2015 Volume 26, Issue 11
A partnership is forged: GM and Navistar have announced a joint deal to build medium-duty trucks.
Page 32
Automating DVIRs: Automating driver vehicle inspection reports is challenging, but rewarding.
Page 28
A new record: The results are in from this year’s International Roadcheck enforcement blitz.
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Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1989
Real-time liability: If you install in-cab cameras, do you have a real-time liability responsibility?
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Words with Wiebe We caught up with the Grand Champion from last month’s national driving championships By Jim Bray Editor James Menzies operates the Freightliner Inspiration Truck in autonomous Highway Pilot mode.
Driving a selfdriving truck
Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau
Operating an autonomous truck in Nevada requires a special certification
Contact Jim Bray at: jim@transportationmedia.ca or call 403-453-5558
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By James Menzies
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LAS VEGAS, Nev. – “No one has ever passed our test.” Not the words you want to hear when you’re about to take that test. The speaker was Jim Martin, one of the few Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) engineers certified to drive autonomous trucks in the state of Nevada and also licensed to provide certification to other CDL-holders. But while his warning may have quickened the pulse of the handful of North American trucking journalists preparing to obtain the certification, myself included, Martin quickly added, “The reason for this is, this is our first time (giving the test).” CDL-holders require special certification to operate autonomous trucks in the state of Nevada. The criteria for this certification is developed by the truck maker and then approved by the state. It’s up to the OEM to test individuals wishing to obtain their certification and to issue the certificate allowing them to operate
Careers: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
such vehicles. There’s obvious irony at work here: A special certification is required to operate a truck that can effectively drive itself. But the objective of the training and subsequent certification is to ensure the driver understands how to use the system and more importantly, that they realize they are responsible for the vehicle at all times – even when Highway Pilot is active. Operating Highway Pilot is not at all difficult. When Highway Pilot becomes available on the Freightliner Inspiration Truck, a ‘Highway Pilot Available’ notification appears in the driver display. The driver can then click the Set button on the steering wheel to activate the system, as long as the engine brake is turned off. The driver can then toggle through to the desired top speed. The engine brake can be activated once Highway Pilot has been enabled. To deactivate Highway Pilot, the driver simply needs to tap the service brake or press the Off button Continued on page 26
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REGINA, Sask. – Ken Wiebe is no stranger to winning. This year’s Grand Champion driver at the National Truck Driving Championships, winner of the B-Train category and member of Team Manitoba, has won four other titles out of the 11 times he’s competed. He also copped top prize in his B-Train category in 2013, 2012, 2010 and 2008, so one could think this is old hat to the veteran driver. And maybe it is. “I just like the competitive side of it,” Wiebe told Truck West shortly after learning of his win in September. “It’s always been fun.” He said one of the reasons he throws his hat into the ring year after year is to “just try to take your driving to the next level; it keeps you sharp, that’s for sure.” And even though he has a track record of success at such events, he’s not about to get complacent. “It’s always the top drivers in the Nationals,” he said. “Everybody is at a top level and you never know where you’re going to end up. Your heart’s jumping out of your chest in these things. Get out of the truck and you’re still shaking, the nerves never go away.” He said the nerves start taking a toll on him even before the competition begins. “Trying to sleep the night before, to be competitive, is always a challenge.” He noted that competitors can sometimes tell if they’ve had a good run or not, but that doesn’t mean they know how their results will stack up against the other gladiators. The Grand Champion grew up on a farm in MacGregor, about 130 kilometres west of Winnipeg. “We always ran equipment, tractors, trucks and the like. I started working on a large grain farm and from there Continued on page 5
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