Penske makes Eaton VORAD uniform

READING, Pa. (Sept. 19, 2001) — After a pilot project last year that tested the Eaton VORAD EVT-300 Collision Warning System, Penske Logistics has decided to include the CWS as standard equipment on all new tractor orders and also plans to retrofit the EVT-300 on many tractors in the existing fleet by the end of this year.

The Eaton VORAD EVT-300 is a Collision Warning System that alerts drivers to potentially dangerous situations. A high frequency radar system transmits radar signals from the front-end and side of the truck, monitoring, what Eaton says, up to 20 vehicles ahead and in the blind spot area on the right side. When a potentially hazardous situation is detected, a display unit on the dashboard emits a series of visual and audible alerts, warning the driver and providing sufficient time for the driver to react before an accident can occur.

Penske began evaluating the EVT-300 last year when it installed 50% of its Whirlpool Corp. fleet with the CWS. Accident costs were tracked for a year using the previous 12 months as a benchmark. The company reported an 81 % decrease in costs due to accidents that can be prevented by a CWS, and a 44 % reduction in costs for all auto liability accidents. Auto liability costs consist of financial losses due to legal liability for damage to other vehicles and accident-related injuries.

“Our ultimate goal is zero accidents and this is a positive step in that direction, ” Penske Logistics Vice-President of Safety Paul Penatzer said in a press release.