On September2 , 1994,N HTSA issueda notice in the Federal Register’ to promote a cooperative program which would foster the development, evaluation, and deployment of heavy vehicle intelligent communication and powering enhancemenst ystem(s). In responseto this solicitation, Delco Electronics Corporation, on behalf of it potential project partners, submitted a proposal ** detailing a collaborative, jointly governed venture between industry and Government to develop and evaluate heavy-duty technology vehicles using twoway communication between the tractor and the trailer.

The object of this cooperative agreement was to foster the development, evaluation, and deployment of intelligent communication and powering, also requiring the installation of several advanced electrical subsystems on the trailers in order to properly exercise these communication and powering techniques between the tractor and trailer in the real world. Among the devices installed on the vehicles, of particular interest to the government agencies, were the Side Collision Warning System, Brake Stroke Indicator, Head-Up Display, and a Rear View Video Camera as collision avoidance devices.

A unique feature of this program was the in-fleet operational testing of the systems, using real truck drivers, who faced real driver problems and performance pressures. The drivers introduced a recordable “human factors” element into the evaluation system with regard to the safety and productivity value of many of the tested systems. If something bothered them, it got shutoff or broken.