Wheels_Issue-1_2013

Volvo at the extreme
First comes the driver
Driving Progress
Volvo tippers meet the
toughest challenge in the
lignite mines of Barmer.
The driver is always our main
focus. The aim is to create
vehicles that meet their needs.
15 years ago in 1998, Volvo
Trucks embarked on a journey
to ‘Drive the Change’.
wheels
A customer maga zine from volvo Trucks in india • issue 1 2013
Volvo FM 480 10x4 Dump Truck
The Game Changer
An innovation that is changing the rules of the game
The Performance
Leader
•
Best-in-class productivity in demanding mining operations
•
Lower operating cost per cubic metre with higher fuel efficiency
•
Higher reliability with best-in-class built quality
•
Proven performance
•
Best life-time profitability in its class
Volvo FMX X
Volvo FMX
The winner of
Apollo CV award 2011
for CV Technology
Demonstrator of the year
the mining & construction pert
Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress
contents
Wheels #1/2013
6 Survival of
12
First comes the
driver...
the fittest
The driver is always our main focus. The aim is
to create vehicles that meet their needs.
Operating in extreme temperatures
from 00C in winter to a scorching
500C in summer, battling sand
storms at a speed of 60 km an hour
and climbing with tons of load from
a depth of 90 mtrs and to height of
60 mtrs above the ground is a tough
challenge.
16
27
The Game Changer
FM 480 10x4 Dumptruck – The innovation that
is changing the rules of the game.
22
15 years of Driving
Progress
15 years ago in 1998, Volvo Trucks embarked
on a journey to ‘Drive the change’.
4 Swedish Inspiration 20 Walking the line
24 on a collision course 28 News and update 30 good advice
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4
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SWEDISH INSPIRATION
UNBEATABLE UPTIME
High summer in Sweden’s arctic north: it may be midnight, but
the sun is shining and the birds are singing. In Sweden’s northernmost town, Kiruna, 145km above the Arctic Circle, the sun
will not go below the horizon from May 31 until July 11, creating
the curious experience of a nearly six-week long “polar day”.
The intriguing midnight sun phenomenon is caused by a
combination of Earth’s orbit around the sun and the tilt of its
axis. This round-the-clock sunshine – weather permitting –
allows for exotic pursuits like night hiking or mountain-biking
in the wilderness of the national parks, or midnight golf at
Björkliden Artic Golf Club, one of the world’s most northerly
and spectacular courses.
But experiencing constant daylight in the “land of the
midnight sun” can be tough on those not used to it, in some
cases leading to insomnia and even depression. And of
course constant light in the summer has its dark side: the
sun doesn’t rise above the horizon in northern Sweden for an
equal length of time in the depths of winter each year.
Just as the sun during those summer weeks in northern
Sweden is a constant presence in the sky, so Volvo Trucks
are a permanent fixture on the world’s roads, boasting uptime
that is hard to match.
Volvo Trucks vehicles give their owners maximum possible availability, firstly thanks to the world-renowned quality
and reliability that is built into each and every truck we make.
This is then supported by expert Volvo “software” – such as
a global service network and support systems like Volvo Dynafleet, plus service and maintenance contracts that give you
maximum uptime for a fixed fee.
And new innovations continue to extend your vehicle’s
time on the road, such as the recently announced GSMbased system that allows the Volvo workshop to check a
truck’s condition remotely.
While round-the-clock sunshine can have its drawbacks, a
vehicle that’s available 24/7 is something any truck owner appreciates. n
DAVID WILES
FOTO: JONAS ABRAHAMSSON/SCANPIX
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Volvo at the extreme
Survival of
the fittest
Operating in extreme temperatures ranging from 00C in winter to a
scorching 500C in summer, battling sand storms at a speed of
60-70 km an hour and climbing with tons of load from a depth of
90 mtr to a height of 60mtr above the ground is a tough challenge.
To remove 12 million tonnes of overburden and supply 1.5 million
tonnes of lignite a year to a power plant and operating 20 hrs a day
non-stop for over 320 days is the task that Volvo stood up to.
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A
remote town in Rajasthan on the border of Gujarat and close to the international border,
Barmer today has emerged as a major source of energy to change the landscape of
Rajasthan.
Once known only for sorties of fighter aircrafts from the large Indian Air Force base of a border
town, today Barmer is a bustling mining town with large fleets of mining equipment and Volvo
tippers.
It all happened when JSW Power embarked on to setup a 1080 MW thermal power plant with
the assured supply of lignite from Barmer. But supplying 10,000 tonnes of lignite a day to meet the
demands of thermal power plant was no ordinary challenge. The main challenge was extreme climatic
and terrain conditions. The trucks had to operate non-stop through the day and night in 00 C freezing
temperature of desert winter and 500 C scorching temperature of desert summer accompanied by sand
storms of over 60 kms an hour bringing down the visibility to a mere 20 ft to meet the extreme demands
of a power plant.
There was yet another challenge. The trucks had to operate from a maximum depth of up to 120
meters and climb all the way up to 60 meters above the ground level to unload overburden. Added
to this was underground water at a depth resulting in slushy conditions to make operations even
more difficult.
Given thes extreme operating conditions, the Barmer lignite mine was a unique challenge. Added
to this was the need to meet the targets in production and cost.
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World over such operations are done mainly by large dumpers. But in case
of Barmer, cost-economics of operation as well as cost per ton of production
was an even bigger challenge. This was a unique situation and the operators
needed machines which not only met the economics of operation but also the
uptime of machines to deliver the tougher commitment.
storms, slushy conditions and 24x7 operations. Today,
each cycle of operation in these mines involves going
down to a depth of 90 metres and carrying loads uphill
for s distance of 4-5 km that lead to a dumping yard 60
metres above the ground level.
The result was an obvious choice of a fleet of Volvo tippers by the mining
contractors. Sceptics had their doubts. In fact initially every one questioned
the choice itself. But that’s a history now, Once again Volvo tippers have
proved their true mettle. Volvo not only met the challenge but surpassed every
expectation.
It is strenuous work, considering the extreme conditions
coupled with extreme demands both on the machines and
the men who operate them. That’s another reason why
Volvo tippers scored over the other options. Considering
the scale of operation with high traffic density, driver
comfort and lower stress levels were critical for safe and
efficient operations.
In the first year of operation alone Volvo tippers clocked over 5800 hours of
tipper operation. The target every day was to remove 100,000 m3 of OB and
transport it over 4 km, and by the end of the year Volvo tippers well surpassed
the target.
And that too in the harshest of weather conditions, temperatures, sand
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Volvo tippers with the higher torque required in the
depths of mines with slush and higher power for uphill
climb, easy manoeuvrability on difficult mine roads and
ease of operation for driver with extremely comfortable, air-conditioned and
user-friendly cabin made it an ideal machine to do the job. Even after 8 hours
of non-stop operation, there was much lesser stress on drivers, which helped
Superior productivity, higher
uptime, excellent parts inventory,
well managed on-site workshop and a dedicated team helped us achieve
the impossible target.
Bavesh patel, Director, P C Patel & Co.
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them do the job effortlessly and achieve productivity.
Drivers also felt safe in such strenuous operations.
The last but most important aspect of the success
is the technology. Volvo tippers proved their superior
technology, built quality and efficiency in Barmer. The
machines delivered the highest uptime in 24x7 operations
with extremely high productivity. The well equipped and
managed workshop at site is the backbone that keeps
these machines in operation providing excellent service
support and preventive maintenance. This is backed by
assured and timely supply of parts and supported by
dedicated team of technicians working day and night who
quickly get the trucks back in operation.
The Barmer mines have the lignite deposits for the
next thirty years to fuel the thermal power plant and the
machines have a long road ahead. The drivers at Barmer
have all good things to share today, because Volvo tippers
have given them the confidence they need to operate
the long hours of doing a tough job. Volvo tippers have
ensured that whatever are the climatic conditions; the
environment inside the truck gives them the security and
helps them operate effortlessly; day or night, summer or
winter, from a depth of 120 mtr to a height of 60 mtr.
For PC Patel & Co, contractors at Barmer mines,
partnering with Volvo in this challenging operation has
been a rewarding experience. Volvo tippers have proved
their strength in the conditions where previously only large
dumpers ruled. The high performance tippers with the
superior technology have undoubtedly proven that when
the going gets tough, the tough gets going.
The Barmer success story is yet another example of a
teamwork of experienced contractors and Volvo Trucks to
create innovative solutions for the toughest challenges. A job well done, a confidence well established.
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Our approach to drivers,
site management is the key
to success at barmer.”
Hari Bhai Patel, Partner, HD Enterprises
PC Patel & Co. and HD Enterprises
are executing the lignite mining contract at Kapurdi
Lignite mines, Barmer. Their extensive experience
and innovative solution approach has helped meet
the unprecedented commitment for supply of lignite
to JSW power plant.
Together they have successfully fulfilled the
commitment for the last 3 years operating under one
of the extreme mining conditions in India.
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First comes
the driver...
“The driver is always our main focus,” says Roger
Brorsson, Product Manager at Volvo Trucks for Europe,
the Middle East and Africa. Drivers give input on every
stage of Volvo’s development process, from the design
stage to field tests prior to launch. The aim is to create
vehicles that meet their every need.
WORDS DAVID WILES
ILLUSTRATION KJELL THORSSON
HANDLING
A truck that handles badly can wear out the
driver and even cause accidents. Yet Volvo
has built a reputation for trucks that handle
well and are easy to drive. “A truck that handles well allows the driver to focus on the
traffic situation and the surrounding environment and actually helps them to be a better
driver,” says Roger Brorsson.
Volvo has over the years introduced a
wide range of technologies and solutions
to create the ideal handling characteristics
that drivers demand, and adapted for the particular application, whether construction vehicles, city distribution or highway use.
Anti-lock brakes, antiroll bars, leaf suspension and shock absorbers contribute to creating the ideal handling characteristics on a Volvo truck. Electronic
Braking System (EBS) and patented disc brake technology gives an especially high degree of safety when slowing the vehicle. The Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) backs up the driver, stepping in when a truck is about to lose
its grip on the road and skid or roll over. Sensors on the truck measure the yaw
angle, lateral acceleration and steering wheel position. A central unit monitors
the incoming readings and the brakes are activated on one or more wheels as
necessary. At the same time, engine torque is reduced to lower road speed
until equilibrium is regained.
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THROUGH
MANY
YEARS
OF DISCUSSION
WITH DRIVERS,
WE KNOW
WHAT IS
IMPORTANT
FOR THEM.
ROGER BRORSSON, PRODUCT
MANAGER AT VOLVO TRUCKS
FOR EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
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... then comes the truck
VISIBILITY
The truck driver requires good visibility in order
to be able to identify and avoid dangerous situations. “As a truck driver you have a big responsibility to look out for unprotected road users,
such as pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists,”
says Roger Brorsson. “So the driver’s ability
to see everything that is going on around them
is at the front of our minds when we develop
vehicles.”
Volvo’s cabs are designed to give maximized
all-round visibility, with an optimized driving position to give the best possible overview. There
are large glass panels, powerful windscreen
14
wipers and big rear-view mirrors with additional
wide-angle mirrors as standard that minimize the
blind-spot. Volvo’s Lane Changing Support technology, activated by the turn indicator, keeps an
eye on the blind-spot to the side of the truck and
alerts the driver by a noise and warning light if a
vehicle is detected there.
A rear-view camera with an integrated display
on the dashboard is also available as an option.
It shows the driver what is happening behind the
truck when reversing, effectively giving the driver
something that all road users would benefit from
– eyes in the back of their head.
SPACE
DASHBOARD
The truck cab is like a home away from home for many drivers
and Volvo puts huge efforts into finding out what drivers want
from their cab environment. “We aim to provide drivers with good
ergonomics while working, plus ease of moving around the cab
and a well-planned and comfortable rest area,” says Roger Brorsson. “From many years of discussing with drivers we know what
is important for them. For starters we offer the standard cab, the
Globetrotter cab, and the Globetrotter XL cab, which means they
can find a truck that suits their situation and application. They can
get as much space as they need.”
Seats are of course crucial, and can be adjusted right down to
the smallest detail, while several bed options mean a good night’s
sleep and a well-rested, safe and efficient driver.
The steering column is infinitely adjustable and can be easily
moved up and out of the way for convenient entry and exit from the
cab. The gearshift for the I-shift automatic gearbox is situated on the
chair meaning it is close to hand when driving, yet out of the way
when the driver moves to the resting area, giving improved access
compared with a conventional gearstick.
The dashboard should provide the driver with important information about
the vehicle and the controls for operating it, without distracting unnecessarily or obstructing the driver’s visibility. “We have developed dashboards that are ergonomic, logical and practical,” says Roger Brorsson.
The dashboard is curved around the driver to prevent reflections
and to give a clear overview without the need for the driver to move
or lean over to read a dial or flick a switch. “Our switches are big and
easy to operate, and they are situated in the most convenient places.
The ones you use the most are the easiest to reach,” says Brorsson.
A customizable LED display allows the driver to select which information they want to see, while information on oil temperature, for
example, is only presented when there is an issue. “Otherwise you
don’t see them, so the driver can focus on the driving,” says Brorsson. “You could say that our dashboards today are intelligent; the
driver only sees what he needs or wants to see.”
In-dashboard storage for items such as coins, pens, water bottles and mobile phones has been improved at the drivers’ request,
while certain switches can be customized on demand and features
such as extra bottle-holders added.
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The Game changer
FM 480 10x4 Dumptruck –
An innovation that is changing the
rules of the game
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Fuel efficiency and productivity are the watchwords in the industry today.
Solutions for maximum impact with minimal efforts are set to rule the
market. With slow markets and high competition, the need of the hour is
superior productivity at optimal operation costs, making transportation
even more effective without comprising on quality, safety and environment
care.
C
ustomers have been looking for higher productivity
to stay ahead of competition, by being efficient
and improving productivity. The need of the hour
was a truck with higher capacity; a solution that can bridge
the gap between highly efficient and cost-effective tipper
and the expensive large dumpers. A truck with the flexibility
of tipper and bigger load carrying capacity like a dumper.
FM 480 10x4 Dump Truck – the game
changer The engineers at Volvo had to address this
need with a unique solution. The answer was the 10x4
Dump Truck. An innovative concept redefining productivity.
Launched in October 2012, this is the biggest off-road
truck from Volvo adding on to the product offerings to
balance productivity and efficiency. The FM480 10x4 is
designed to meet the need of the hour of productivity,
efficiency, quality, safety and environment care. The sturdy
5-axle Dump Truck features the most technologically
advanced and powerful driveline, delivering 480 HP – the
best-in-class 2400 Nm torque, power-weight ratio of 7.38
and robust 24m3 struck volume, along with the unmatched
Volvo quality and reliability. The higher power-to-weight
ratio provides superior average speeds and thereby
increased productivity, whereas lower kerb weight gives
superior fuel economy.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Phillip Divry, Managing
Director, Volvo India Pvt. Ltd. said, “At a time when
business is tough for everybody, we bring you another
first from Volvo to add value to our customers. This is the
biggest off-road truck from Volvo ever in India; it looks like
a truck, but produces like a machine and is slated to
be the next big ‘Game Changer’ in the industry.
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This is the biggest truck
from Volvo ever in India;
it looks like a truck, but
produces like a machine and
is slated to be the next big ‘Gamechanger’ in the industry.
Phillip Divry, Managing Director, Volvo India Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Vinod Agarwal, CEO VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. said, “The Volvo
FM 480 is the first 10x4 Dump Truck concept in the Indian market for mining
application. The Volvo 10x4 benefits the customers with higher productivity
and lower overall operating costs. The higher capacity rock body enables the
customers to derive the best-in-class productivity; thereby reducing their fleet
size and helping them achieve profitability and higher operating efficiency”.
Balancing productivity & efficiency, the Volvo FM480 10x4 43 (US) Ton
Dump Truck is the most obvious choice of dump truck for the demanding
mining applications requiring higher productivity and performance.
Built to deliver high productivity The Volvo 10x4 built on a FM 13 platform with a 12.8 ltr in-line 6 cylinder engine ensures excellent driving
characteristics, high reliability and excellent fuel-efficiency designed for
heavy duty open cast mining operations. The Volvo 10x4 has a unique 5-axle
configuration, the first in India which helps distribute the weight over the entire
length of a truck. The I beam front axle ensures the high approach angle for
off-road applications and a rear tandem axle with hub reduction. The high
rear axle ratio ensures the tractive effort on the tyres to negotiate the steepest
gradients even under heavy loads, making it closer to a dumper without making
it larger and bulkier like a conventional dumper. The turning ability of the front
3-axles gives the Volvo 10x4 Dump Truck the required maneuverability in mining
operations to help drivers drive effortlessly across difficult terrains.
The vehicle comes with a 14-speed range and splitter gearbox with well
balanced shift increments providing a high starting traction with high average
speeds.
Driver comfort and safety is enhanced in the Volvo 10x4 with a spacious
driver cabin with a large windshield for all round vision and suitable headlamps
for night driving. After all a good driver is responsible for the efficient driving of
a truck. The truck is wired with 5 different ECU’s making the truck interactive
with Driver Information System that provides valuable information on driving
performance. The dashboard has distinct indicators that keep the driver
informed of the operations happening in the truck while driving.
Do more with less With the launch of the Volvo FM480 10x4 Dump
Truck, Volvo comes full circle with a complete range of mining solutions. The
result is more efficiency, lesser number of drivers, reduced traffic density in
the mines, optimized maintenance & operation cost and overall increase in
productivity. With Volvo FM480 10x4 Dump Truck, you have a Game Changer
all the way!
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The Volvo 10x4 benefits the customers with higher productivity and
lower overall operating costs. The higher capacity
rock body enables the
customers to derive the bestin-class productivity.
Mr. Vinod Agarwal, CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd.
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Walking the line
The woman on the rope is Faith Dickey, one of the big names in
slacklining, a young sport in which practitioners walk across a slack,
nylon rope rigged between trees or rock peaks. I’ve walked slacklines
between rock peaks 1,200 meters above ground,” says Faith. “But
this is something else entirely. The drivers are fantastic, but no matter
how they drive the line is moving in all directions.”
The stunt looks dramatic - but was performed for real – on a
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nearly completed highway in Croatia, with no oncoming cars. The film
was made to highlight the driving experience with Volvo’s new truck –
the new Volvo FH.
Since Volvo Trucks was involved, security was of course a prime
concern during the entire filming, but when the Hollywood crew who
were brought in to coordinate the shooting first heard about the idea
that they were astounded, “I thought every conceivable stunt had
already been done. I was wrong. Crashing boats at 40 knots, turning
over in burning cars, it’s just another day’s work. But nobody’s walked
a line between two moving trucks before. It feels like a huge challenge,
and it’s challenge that lights my fire,” says Peter Pedrero, who in his
day-to-day work coordinates stunts in films like James Bond, Harry
Potter and Pirates of Caribbean.Watch the clip and find other material
about Volvos new FH truck online: www.newadress.com. n
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15 years of
Driving Progress
15 years ago in 1998, Volvo Trucks embarked on a journey of ‘Driving the change’ in the Indian commercial
vehicle industry. A journey that began with the launch of the Volvo’s first 6x4 tractor, the ‘FH12 340’ built
at the new plant at Hosakote, Bangalore. The truck set a new benchmark as it was the first high performance
truck from a leading European CV manufacturer in India with features most advanced compared to the
other trucks; features that went on to set benchmarks in built-quality, safety, emission standards, technology,
productivity and efficiency.
O
ver the last fifteen years Volvo Trucks
continued its mission of ‘Driving the change’
which introduced a range of new trucks
and many firsts that has changed the Indian
commercial vehicle industry for good and
created new aspirations not only for the customer, but also
for other CV manufacturers.
The introduction of the 8x4 tipper for coal mining
segment way back in 2002 was a landmark in technology.
A new concept in mining industry. Over the years new
features and more powerful engines made the 8x4 tipper
an industry standard and made Volvo Trucks a leader in
high performance mining tippers. Today, over 5,500 Volvo
mining tippers are operating in mines across the country
delivering the promise of higher productivity.
Leadership in coal mining segment Today,
Volvo offers a wide range of tippers for transportation
of overburden, raw coal, washed coal and dump truck
for higher capacities. A product range that covers every
application in coal mines.
Technology leadership in Heavy Haulage
segment In the highway trucks, Volvo is synonymous
with high performance tractor trailers for heavy duty
applications and has set benchmarks in the heavy haulage
segment. Volvo today offers tractors in the range of 400hp
to 520hp power with manual and powertronic transmission.
These powerful trucks on the Indian roads have helped
the heavy haulage segment with unique transport solutions
much needed in India. Each product introduction over
the last 15 years have brought with it not just advanced
technology but solutions that have helped customers stay
ahead with improved profitability and reliability.
VOLVO
15
YEARS
1998
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TRUCKS
15
IN INDIA
- 2013
Many firsts that set new benchmarks Along
with the most advanced products, Volvo also introduced
many firsts in soft offerings and innovative solutions many of
which have become industry norms today.
Committed to Driving Progress These
15 eventful years have brought in many changes in the
commercial industry to make it more efficient, productive,
environment-friendly and safe.
• 15 years ago Volvo introduced the first fully built,
air-conditioned and crash-tested cabin for trucks
A lot has changed in Volvo over these years in terms
of products offerings, concepts and technology, but what
remains unchanged is our commitment to our customers
and their customers. Our commitment to customers today
is much stronger to help them face new challenges in the
much demanding transportation segments.
• Volvo introduced driver training, in the CV industry with
emphasis on safe and efficient driving practices. Today
Volvo Driver training center has trained over 35,000 drivers
• Customised Service Agreements that helped customers
plan their maintenance costs and also offer the best
services to the fleet
• 24x7 Service Helpline that brought service anywhere,
anytime and minimized downtime
• Renovated Parts that offer customers an economic
option and yet give the care their trucks need
It has been a long and successful journey that has
been possible only because of the support, loyalty and
encouragement that we have received from our customers
and has made us trusted partners.
As we look at the future together, we will continue to
innovate and Drive Progress!
• Flexible workshop concept that introduced Volvo Service
for vehicles in remote areas to get the tippers back in
action without leaving the work sites
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On a collision course
with accident statistics
The safest truck ever will give Volvo Trucks’ own accident commission, the Accident Research Team, even more to do. That
may sound strange, but is perfectly logical on the company’s
journey to its ultimate goal: zero accidents involving Volvo trucks.
WORDS SOFIA ERIKSSON
PHOTO CHRISTER EHRLING
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A
ccident Research Team. The name may give the impression that this is a group of technicians like TV’s CSI
scientists who bring along powerful lights, advanced technology
and complicated analyses to work out why an accident occurred.
There are in fact certain similarities, but in actual fact it’s much
more of a desk job. The mission is clear: to gather statistics that
provide a basis for safety innovations in Volvo trucks. Today more than 1600 incidents are logged in the database, making it the largest in the truck industry.
“The data that we provide, for example information about how many people
drive off the road in Europe at night and why, is analysed by the people who develop Volvo’s safety functions, providing them with a solid basis for innovations
in forthcoming truck generations,” explains Karsten Heinig, manager of ART.
ART WAS CREATED IN 1969, after a Volvo timber truck rolled over onto a car, resulting in the deaths of all the car’s occupants. In response, Volvo Trucks formed its
own accident research commission with responsibility for investigating all road
accidents involving injuries. Initially, a few experts visited the sites of any incidents
occurring within a 100 kilometre radius of Göteborg, but as time passed and conclusions could be drawn from the information gathered, more people were involved
in this work. Volvo Trucks realised that improvements and changes to the driver’s
environment had a direct impact on traffic safety, and that ART’s data could be
used to develop new, safer systems and environments, thus saving lives.
“Several of Volvo’s safety systems over the years are a result of ART’s work,”
explains Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo
Trucks. “LCS or Lane Changing Support, for example, came in response to statistics which show that many accidents occur when drivers change lanes and other
vehicles end up in the offset rear blind spot.”
He also mentions that smoke detectors are now fitted to all Volvo trucks as
›
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25
› a result of ART’s accident research. The same principle of response to data
applies to the function and design of the doors. Using ART’s statistics, tests
and simulations it was clear that it had to be possible to open the doors
without any difficulty after a crash, yet the doors still had to be designed to
absorb a lot of incoming energy in order to protect the driver. FUPS, Front
Underrun Protection System, which reduces the risk of a car becoming wedged under the truck in a frontal collision, is another such innovation, which
helps enhance the safety of people outside the truck.
TODAY ART IS A NETWORKED TEAM consisting of Karsten Heinig and four other
people who all work as accident investigators, combining this with their other tasks
at Volvo. They no longer analyse every single accident that occurs, only those that are
unique in nature and that provide new information that requires processing and analysis. Safety research has become a very important issue for the entire industry. The
clearest trends are that manufacturers and other parties are joining forces to work together for a safer traffic environment, with greater focus on active safety systems – in
other words technical systems that are activated in order to avoid accidents, instead
of as before investing most effort in improving the vehicle’s passive safety, that is to
say those features that affect occupant safety inside the truck cab.
In addition, the research field has widened, from examining only postcrash factors – being on site after an accident – to pre-crash, in other words
what happens just before an accident takes place. Karsten
Heinig worked previously on the EuroFOT project, which
is a major pan-European, industry-wide project in which
Volvo participates, and he applies some of his experiences
from the project to his work with ART.
“EuroFOT has filmed and collected electronic information on almost twelve million kilometres of truck driving in
Europe, among much else to see how active safety systems
work together with the human being behind the steering
wheel. That analysis is ongoing and will give us invaluable
information for the future,” says Karsten Heinig.
THE DRIVER’S BEHAVIOUR is increasingly often taken into
account by ART and this allows the team to contribute its
expertise to the development of behaviour-based safety. It is
based on making the driver aware of his or her driving behaviour and then providing coaching and training. This is psychologically tricky because nobody likes being identified as a
poor driver, and because it is possible that drivers may drive
more badly and take more risks than they care to believe.
“If you drive more economically, the number of accidents
MILESTONES IN TRUCK SAFETY DEVELOPMENT
1959
1977
1979
1995
1996
1998
Volvo invents the
three-point safety belt.
Volvo Trucks’ safety cab
is introduced in the F10
and F12.
Energy-absorbing
steering wheel and
electronic locking of
the safety belt.
Volvo is the first manufacturer to fit airbags in
heavy trucks.
FUPS, Front Underrun
Protection System, is
introduced.
EBS, Electronically
controlled Braking System, is introduced.
16
Carl Johan Almqvist
and Karsten Heinig
agree that ART’s research has led to the
world’s safest truck,
the new Volvo FH.
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drops dramatically. That’s because you are quite simply a
smarter driver who looks ahead and thinks ahead, so things do
not tend to take you by surprise as you drive. Volvo’s aim is to
support the driver and help him or her to be better prepared in
traffic – not to take over the driver’s responsibility. To do that,
it is better to change the driver’s behaviour than to overwhelm
him or her with safety systems,” relates Carl Johan Almqvist.
This is because having too many safety systems brings
disadvantages. Karsten Heinig and Carl Johan Almqvist
ACCIDENT RESEARCH TEAM
Since 1969, ART has been
investigating accidents
involving Volvo trucks resulting in personal injuries.
In ART’s early years all incidents were investigated and
there was even an emergency response team that
travelled to the accident site.
Today the team, which
consists of a total of five
people, visits incidents that
represent ‘new’ developments, wherever in the
world they occur, and carries out tests and simulations. This data forms the
basis for several of the
safety systems developed
by Volvo over the years.
say that it may well be possible to create a truck that never gets involved in
an accident, a vehicle packed with advanced technology. But it would be
expensive. And with this kind of ‘nanny truck’ the driver would simply feel
that he or she is being watched the whole time. What is more, a system of
this kind would distract the driver with its constant flashing and beeping.
“One of our challenges is to create an integrated safety system with warning
strategies that link together, that are logical and smart, are perceived as one
single system and issue an alert about the most important factor in each individual situation,” says Carl Johan Almqvist.
IN VOLVO’S NEW FH years of statistical data and experience from real-life accidents have been transformed into functions and systems that together form what
is today referred to as the world’s safest truck. Paradoxically enough, the amount
of work at ART will increase considerably with the launch of Volvo’s new truck.
It has been equipped with a number of new safety features, making it particularly
interesting from the research viewpoint.
“Here at ART we will follow up every little discrepancy and incident for at
least the next year to see how the vehicles and drivers behave just before an
incident actually occurs or could have occurred. We want to know everything
about how our active safety functions respond in field conditions and how
they help the driver avoid serious accidents,” relates Karsten Heinig. n
2001
2003
2003
2008
2014
2015
Volvo introduces EPS,
Electronic Stability
Program.
Legal requirement for
fitting FUPS in Europe.
ACC, Adaptive Cruise
Control, launched in
Volvo’s trucks.
Driver Alert Support
and Lane Changing
Support introduced.
Legislation regarding
ESP, Electronic Stability Program, in trucks.
Legislation requires Lane Departure
Warning System and
Advanced Emergency
Braking System.
THAT’S WHY THE NEW VOLVO FH
IS THE WORLD’S SAFEST TRUCK
DRIVER PROTECTION The windscreen is laminated and bonded
into place, which means that it
strengthens the cab structure, making it more stable, and also that it
will not pop out in a collision. The
emergency exit is now a roof hatch
that can be smashed using the
hammer provided.
IMPROVED VISIBILITY The mirror
housing is smaller. The A-pillars are
slimmer but maintain their stability.
The lower line of the side windows
dips down toward the front.
COLLISION WARNING A radar
system that identifies moving and
stationary objects and provides a
warning, for instance via the Head
Up Display, HUD.
DYNAMIC HEADLIGHTS Headlights whose beams are controlled
by the steering wheel, following the
curvature of the road and providing
better visibility when driving on
twisting roads.
VAS/SOS BUTTON A button in the
cab for contacting VAS, Volvo Action
Service, in the event of technical
problems or emergencies.
IMPROVED ROADHOLDING The
roadholding has been further refined
and contributes to a relaxed driving
style that benefits safety.
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27
News & updates from the Volvo Trucks
New
dealership
Vista Driveline opens
a new dealership at
Kochi
A new dealership of M/s Vista Driveline
Motors at Kochi was inaugurated on 19th
December 2012 by Sree Ramarao, Sr.
Vice President - After Market, Volvo Trucks
and Vishal Chugh, GM & Head Sales,
Volvo Buses. The event was attended by
dignitaries from Volvo Trucks, Volvo Buses
India and customers. The key customers
were felicitated and the modern dealer facility
was showcased to them during the event.
This is a 5 bay workshop built as per the
DOS guidelines with excellent amenities for
drivers and the employees.
Driver awareness campaign at SCCL, Kothagudam
Volvo Trucks conducted a Driver awareness campaign at SCCL, Kothagudam.
120 drivers were trained on Volvo Tippers and drivers were awarded with Course Completion certificates.
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15 years in India celebration
kicks off in Mumbai
2013 in an important year in the
history of Volvo Trucks in India as
15 years ago, Volvo rolled out the
first truck Volvo FH12 340 tractor
trailer and embarked on a memorable
journey.
To celebrate this milestone, Volvo
Trucks kicked off the celebration with
an event for Volvo tractor customers
in Mumbai. The event was attended
by all key tractor customers from
the Western region. The event was
organised at Hotel Leela in Mumbai
on 23rd February, 2013.
Volvo does
it again!
Volvo FM 480 10x4 Dump Truck wins the
‘Premium Tipper of the Year Award’ 2012
For the third time in a row Volvo Trucks has won the Apollo
CV Award with the new Volvo FM 480 10x4 Dump
Truck winning the ‘CV Tipper of the Year Award’ in
the premium category. The award ceremony took
place on 8th January, 2013 in Mumbai.
The award once again demonstrates the
technology leadership of Volvo Trucks and the FM 480 10x4 Dump Truck is an innovation that is
setting new benchmarks in the mining industry.
The award symbolizes Volvo Truck India’s
quest in product innovation to meet the changing
demands. The new Volvo Dump Truck offers a
competitive edge to our mining customers.
Wheels #1/2013
29
Good advice pays for
itself in the long run
Volvo Trucks’ new Fuel Advice service helps the customer save
fuel. With its own fuel advisor on hand, the haulage firm can
plan, discuss, implement and follow up fuel consumption. And
maintain its excellent results.
WORDS MARIANNE OVESEN
Fuel costs account for 25 to 35 percent of
the haulage firm’s expenses. Wasting precious drops of diesel fuel is literally the same
as letting the company’s profits go up in
smoke via the exhaust pipe.
This is a reality that Volvo has long been
aware of and on which the company has
worked very hard. For many years now, Volvo
has therefore been providing facilities such
as Dynafleet’s Fuel and Environment option,
the special Fuel Management Service and
courses in eco-driving.
Volvo Trucks’ head of Fuel Management,
Mikael Lidhage explains:
“Many customers have tried on their
own, but only got short-term results. They
needed more support in the follow-up phase. With Fuel Advice, we give haulage firms
help in both achieving and then maintaining
their fuel consumption reductions.”
He points out that with Fuel Advice, even
small haulage firms can afford to have personal supervision and their very own fuel
advice expert.
“So far it has primarily been companies
with large fleets that have had this possibility.”
Mikael Lidhage
PERSONAL ADVISOR
The customer gets his own fuel advice
expert who maintains close contact
with the haulage firm’s fuel managers.
The advisor monitors and analyses the
drivers’ driving styles on the basis of
several parameters using Volvo’s Fuel
Efficiency Scores.
The customer also gets preventive
guidance and practical tips on how
to reduce fuel costs. And, not least,
help with planning and structuring the
follow-up.
The aim is to improve the quality
of efforts to save fuel and to give the
customer support so that the measures
adopted become more instinctive and
easy to handle.
Mikael Lidhage says that a lot de-
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pends on the customer’s dedication
and on the haulage firm appointing a
manager for fuel economy issues who
takes an active role in this process.
“We save the customer time and
build up knowledge of how the haulage firm can reduce its fuel consumption in the long term. Having said that,
Fuel Advice is a joint undertaking
between the customer and Volvo, and
it is only by working together that we
can be successful.”
Every month, the advisor sends a
summary of how the drivers have performed and developed their eco-driving
skills. This summary also indicates
the trend over a longer period of time.
What is more, the haulage firm receives
analyses
and advice
on how driver performance can be
improved, as well
as other suggestions on
how to further increase fuel efficiency.
If a driver suddenly changes his or
her driving style in a way that requires
fast feedback and perhaps action, the
haulage firm’s fuel manager receives
a special message with the relevant
details.
When the monthly reports arrive,
they have to be read, action has to
be taken and the drivers informed of
necessary changes.
A WEB-BASED TOOLBOX
Fuel Advice consists of three
sections, which together provide the customer with support,
know-how and tools to implement and maintain fuel savings.
The customer’s dedication is an immensely important factor for success, together with the commitment of the fuel economy manager, who has a
vital role in pursuing the process and involving
and motivating the rest of the employees.
The fuel economy manager is
aided by the Fuel Management
Toolbox, a web-based toolbox with features that can
increase know-how and
understanding of fuel
savings. With this
system, Volvo shares its many years
of successful
experience in
reducing fuel
consumption.
It also provides inspiration, guidan-
Fuel
Advice
ce and practical information
about the best and simplest
ways of making fuel savings
and maintaining them once
they have been achieved.
Mikael Lidhage emphasises that long-term fuel
savings are something that
must be pursued on an
ongoing basis.
“Otherwise the results
often tail off over time. Because even if Volvo provides
the customer with a fuel
advisor, it is still the customer
who has to take responsibility and do the vital part of
the work. The haulage firm’s
top management must also
be involved and support the
process,” he says.
THE IMPORTANT POINTS ARE:
n To understand which factors affect fuel
consumption.
n To understand the effect of driving technique on changes in fuel consumption.
n To be familiar with Volvo’s Fuel Efficiency
Scores, and to apply them during the process
of saving fuel.
n To ensure that the haulage firm’s fuel economy
manager understands his or her role and the
opportunities presented by this system.
INTRODUCED THIS AUTUMN
Autumn 2012 sees the introduction of Volvo
Trucks’ new Fuel Advice service. Interested
customers should contact their dealer for
more information about when the service will
become available in their particular region.
ANSWERS
This is the customer’s opportunity to get in touch with the fuel
advisor. Contact generally takes place via email,
with the advisor answering questions and providing
advice. Being able to carry on a discussion, ask
questions and receive help from someone with insight into the haulage firm’s fuel economy strategy
is valuable both for the fuel economy manager and
for the company’s ability to cut its fuel costs.
Mikael Lidhage notes that even smaller haulage
firms can afford to have their own fuel advisor.
“A dedicated and focused customer with open
lines of communication, both with its drivers and
with Volvo’s fuel advisors, can on average cut fuel
costs by between three and five percent with the
help of Fuel Advice,” he says.
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31
Every Drop
Counts!
Coming soon!
India FuelWatch 2013
June, 2013 - Chandrapur, Maharashtra.
An innovative & pioneering initiative by Volvo Trucks. Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress