Penske Logistics is now installing collision warning system equipment throughout its tractor fleet.

The fleet-wide installation follows a successful pilot program that evaluated the Eaton VORAD EVT-300 CWS on tractors Penske operates for Whirlpool Corp.
"We feel so strongly about the benefits of the EVT-300, we now include it as standard equipment on all new tractor orders," said Penske Logistics Vice President of Safety Paul Penatzer. "In addition to installing the CWS on all new tractors, we also plan to retrofit the EVT-300 on many of the tractors in our existing fleet by the end of this year," a $2 million investment.
The Eaton VORAD EVT-300 uses a high-frequency radar system to transmit signals from the front and side of the truck, monitoring 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.
In its pilot program with Whirlpool, Penske installed the system on half of Penske's Whirlpool fleet. Pilot locations realized an 81 percent decrease in costs due to accidents that can be prevented by a collision warning system, and a 44 percent 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.)