Communication, both locally and to more forward locations, has been evaluated to allow the users to identify not only location ( both travel and in lot ), but upcoming maintenance and security programs.

The predominate method is CAN and PLC4Truck, but innovation and more conforming to upcoming infrastructure is in the form of WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee has been studied, developed and implemented. Apps have been designed to more easily integrate with smart appliances that are commercially available on the market. The infrastructure can already accommodate the information exchange to vehicle to vehicle communication, vehicle to dock communication, and the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative.

Ability to check tires, brakes, lights, axle locking pin, air leakage, door status, weight, weight distribution, gas level ( if equipped), refrigeration (if equipped) and report to a smartphone wirelessly status

Wheel End Sensing

Methods to automatically measure stroke and lining wear of the brake system along with tire wear and inflation status.

Sensing is also available for bearing condition or stuck brake, issues that might cause wheel end heating.

All conditions can then be reported to both the driver and call ahead to the fleet management.

Semi Trailer Lighting Cost Reduction

One of the cost and weight reduction systems was to take redesign the lighting system. Not only will the system be based on lower load lighting, the entire system can be run with reduced cable conductor content. The new system also enables newer technologies to allow for diagnostics that can let the driver know immediately of a lighting issue, switch lighting functions for a short period of time for safety (i.e., switch the brake light to also handle turn signal functions), and self diagnose for automated pretrip inspection functionality.

With technology that has just come to the market and  utilized in higher volume industries (automotive) can be realized not only for the feature, but be very cost effective in this market.

Security Systems

Security systems have been developed that included single trailers to a full compliment of containers on a lot or ship.

These systems can not only protect single containers from intrusion and theft, The structure of the design can encapsulate the whole ship or lot of trailers.

Systems have been developed that can alert when a door is opened, moved (or fallen off) from a security umbrella, or are required to an interaction to activate or deactivate a lock wirelessly. The systems are integrated with either the trailers or tractors communication system and can also be logged on an onboard recording system.

Safety System Development

Rollover detection, radar, vision, and intelligent highway integration are some of the higher end technologies that have been coming to this market, but there are also many more that can not only make for safer travel, but can assist the driver in do part of his functions in a easier way.

One simple example of this is to detect axle pin position, but control the pin from the cab. Once the pin has been able to me set or pulled, there are methods the adjust axle position at the same time so the driver wouldnt have to leave the cab at all during this job.

Custom Cable Manufacture

During the past few decades Nelson And Associates have developed the resources to develop and manufacture custom cables for a wide variety of projects. These projects have typically been for ourselves due to the nature of this business.

We are now going to make this available to our customers. We have reviewed and found that we can typically offer our customers substantial cost saving and reductions for their needs.

Let us know your cable needs and we be more than happy to put together a program for you.

Rapid Deployment Module

Every customer has a point where they are looking for a unique product to assist in their business. Nelson And Associates has developed a module that has been qualified along with software module library to quickly bring our customers unique requirement design that might be required. Since the componentry has been developed these designs for our customers are not only quick, but very cost effective since design amortization has mostly taken care of.

Most of the features outlined here were constructed on top of the rapid deployment module. It should be noted that this module can either be stand alone, or integrated into the ABS system for a more cost effective approach since all trailers must have this system on board.

Lets have a discussion on your visions and see if we can put them into the market for you.

Remote Data Exchange

WIth all the items we have in our design tool box, we can instrument a vehicle for various data points, and be able to communicate this information to either the home fleet office or regulatory exchange.

Concepts such as letting fleets know when an asset come within a yard that it has or needs a repair or maintenance. The system can also go as far as when the asset is approaching inform ahead and have the asset scheduled along with all parts required.

There has been more discussions with remote information exchange and Nelson And Associates, with our decades of experience, assist in putting this type of program together for you.