LOUISVILLE, KY -- SafetyDirect from Bendix CVS, a Web portal that gives fleet operators a comprehensive view of their fleet and drivers, now connects to three of Bendix's onboard safety technologies.

Bendix Wingman Advanced collision mitigation, Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system, and SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) by Bendix CVS optimize SafetyDirect by providing it with unique safety performance data, which the system then delivers to fleet operators as actionable information.

A fourth onboard safety system, AutoVue Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System from Bendix CVS, was already connected to SafetyDirect. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC purchased SafetyDirect and AutoVue from Iteri in 2011.

SafetyDirect from Bendix CVS reports safety information that is wirelessly transmitted from a fleet's vehicles via telematics devices already on the trucks. The system can provide immediate warnings and critical safety information. For example, fleet operators can easily see if their drivers are having difficulty staying in their lanes - often a first indicator of driver drowsiness - or other potential problems, such as stability control activation, collision mitigation system activation, or critical tire alerts.

The SafetyDirect system collects the data from the onboard safety systems into a user-friendly Web portal, and translates it into easy-to-understand information that a fleet can use in daily operations. SafetyDirect provides real-time driver performance data, as well as event-based information - including video clips of severe occurrences - for analysis by fleet safety personnel and to aid fleets in developing targeted, ongoing driver education and training.

Among the essential information on the portal are following-distance histograms, event counters, and system usage details for each driver. This information will better help fleet managers identify risky driver behavior and provide drivers with targeted training they need to reinforce safe driving practices.

The system captures and reports events in more than a dozen preset categories, including excessive curve speed, lane changes without turn signal, and forward collision warning. Data reports can be created for individual drivers and the entire fleet. Bendix can expand the system to meet a fleet's particular needs by building in certain reporting functions - say, tailgating monitoring - using the fleet's chosen parameters.

Along with video, severe events are captured and stored with time and date, driver and vehicle ID, odometer reading, vehicle speed, and GPS location.