Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 you would think someone would develop a Nav system in which one could enter the height of their truck/ van and the system would select a safe route...or warn of certain height restrictions on said course.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 If that data was input into the nav map data, sure. But it could be out of date and it only works if you have and actually use the NAV. Like Richard says - how hard is it to look at a number on the truck and compare it to a number on a prominently displayed sign at each bridge/overpass? That doesn't require any map data or complicated expensive electronics - just a brain and common sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 It's like the story my buddy tells about a developer who was looking at porn sites at work (this was back in the 90s when it was a relatively new thing). My buddy saw it on the firewall/proxy report. He confronted the guy, told him that wasn't allowed at work and he needed to stop it immediately. The guy first denied it, then said there was no way they could prove it. My buddy went and told his boss to fire him - not for watching porn at work but for being an idiot - first for not knowing that everything he did could be traced back to his IP address and second for not figuring out that they must already have the proof or they wouldn't have been standing at his desk telling him to stop. In this case, if you're too dumb to compare the height of your truck to the height of a bridge, both of which are prominently marked, then you don't need to be driving a truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 that's my exact point...theres a LOT of people that aren't that bright...and 90% behind the wheel prove it on a daily basis...why is this any different to backup cameras, adaptive cruise and all the other nannies that compensate for substandard drivers?....fact is, it really isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Because backup cameras let you see things you can't possibly see on your own. Adaptive cruise is N/A because that's just a convenience, not accident avoidance. Automatic braking takes care of situations where an otherwise good driver simply looks away for a split second. Knowing you have a 14' truck and ignoring a sign that says the bridge ahead is 13.5' is just plain stupidity - not a temporary distraction. And we're not talking about normal drivers here - we're talking about commercial truck drivers that requires a special license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 (edited) how the heck did we survive without em? oh, we checked behind us, and we actually left enough space in front of us to be able to brake in time if necessary. And apparently truck drivers never look away apparently, or get sidetracked or just FORGET....fact is EVERYONE does stupid $hit now and then....and the height thing, although it applies, as I said was more for daily drivers in vans going into underground parking etc... Edited May 28, 2015 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I agree for the most part, but there are a few scenarios where they add a real benefit that you can't overcome without them. e.g. - if you're backing out from between 2 taller vehicles by yourself. I can see almost 180 degrees before I even pull into the street and I get a warning if a vehicle is approaching. There is no possible way for you to see that without a backup camera. You just have to back out slowly and hope any oncoming traffic sees you and stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 how the heck did we survive without em? oh, we checked behind us Fact is, many small children did NOT survive without them. I, for one, welcome backup cameras (or at least sensors). It's not a convenience, it's a very welcome safety feature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 how the heck did we survive without em? oh, we checked behind us, and we actually left enough space in front of us to be able to brake in time if necessary. And apparently truck drivers never look away apparently, or get sidetracked or just FORGET....fact is EVERYONE does stupid $hit now and then....and the height thing, although it applies, as I said was more for daily drivers in vans going into underground parking etc... Also, how many garages these days lack the warning bars/chains/etc. that rather loudly inform the inside of the vehicle that the outside is too tall? I mean, you're talking about how much engineering and software required to avoid how few situations? The fact that there's no aftermarket product despite clearance being an issue for almost as long as there have been roofs over things should tell you something about the demand for such a thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I would think it would just daisy chain onto the vehicles current proximity sensors...after all that's all it really is. Quote " how much engineering and software to avoid how few situations "....but we need self parking right?..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 The warning chains/bars are a perfect example of a cheap easy solution. Just like the problem with people leaving their lights on leaving a long tunnel in the daytime, stopping at a diner and killing the battery. They went through lots of expensive complicated solutions with automated signs connected to light sensors so they didn't tell people to turn off their lights at night. The final solution was a simple sign that said "are your lights on?". Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 No, we don't need self-parking. But it's a really cool feature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 and fordman...I agree fully, but I wouldn't doubt there would be as many situations where someone pulls into underground parking not realizing their brand new Transit high roof, is about to become a low roof....people space sometimes, I STILL see people with damaged rear bumpers WITH backup sensors..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 (edited) akirby...still freaks me out that self parking feature....FREAKY...and my wife has ground the wheels on curbs numerous times... Edited May 28, 2015 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I would think it would just daisy chain onto the vehicles current proximity sensors...after all that's all it really is. Quote " how much engineering and software to avoid how few situations "....but we need self parking right?..... No. Self-parking daisy chains onto current proximity sensors It's a cheap value-add that's almost entirely software. Determining the height of a bridge/overhang/deck would require very different sensors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 ? wouldn't they just work like backup sensors....just further away...or radar for that matter...anyways that's beyond my payscale...cutting spare keys and programming PATS right now ( saves our ludicrous $140 labor rate per hour.....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 (edited) ? wouldn't they just work like backup sensors....just further away...or radar for that matter...anyways that's beyond my payscale...cutting spare keys and programming PATS right now ( saves our ludicrous $140 labor rate per hour.....) Backup sensors are radar. And the problem is that you only want to register obstacles that are a below a fixed height. This requires a much more sophisticated set of receivers than the sensors used elsewhere which simply respond to any bounced signal above a certain threshold. Edited May 28, 2015 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 if they only register below a fixed height, then surely they could be calibrated to red above a fixed height ( ie the van ) as well...no?.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 if they only register below a fixed height, then surely they could be calibrated to red above a fixed height ( ie the van ) as well...no?.. You could easily build sensors that would read the height of something. If the van is under that something. So, going into a garage, inch the front of the van in, let the sensor read the height of whatever you are inching under, and beep if it is less than x feet to that object. That's essentially turning the reverse sensors and point them up. Easy enough. However, you have to be going at such a slow speed to make it work, that it would be essentially useless. If someone can't read a sign, do you expect them to slow to a crawl when entering a garage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Parking sensors aren't concerned with *measuring height*. It's a very simple sensor. It simply looks for any obstruction and beeps. if they only register below a fixed height, then surely they could be calibrated to red above a fixed height ( ie the van ) as well...no?.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 But the liability BELONGS with the driver of the vehicle, period, provided they are given the proper height information to begin with. If your driver can't read a sign and determine whether the height of the upcoming bridge is more or less than the height of the truck they're driving, then they should not be driving. Bingo. I have a hard time believing that truckers who get their trucks stuck aren't just trying to squeeze through knowing they are cutting it close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 On the subject of backup cameras. I hate it. I'm currently renting a '14 Cruze that has one and I really really hate it. I can see more through the windows and mirrors than I can through that thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Bingo. I have a hard time believing that truckers who get their trucks stuck aren't just trying to squeeze through knowing they are cutting it close. I don't know - did you watch the video above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 On the subject of backup cameras. I hate it. I'm currently renting a '14 Cruze that has one and I really really hate it. I can see more through the windows and mirrors than I can through that thing. I can see almost 90 degrees to each side with mine plus anything that's on the ground within a few feet of the bumper. Maybe it's not aimed right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Maybe it's a GM product? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.