French automaker Renault Trucks has introduced its SmartFreight prototype application capable of providing updates on vehicular flow to heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.
The company expects the technology to minimize the impact of trucks on urban traffic.
The application draws from the Optimod'Lyon research project, kicked off in 2012 by the Lyon Metropolitan Council to address urban traffic flow.
Built on Renault's GPS HGV application, the system provides real-time and predictive updates on traffic flow and gives advice on economic driving.
The combination of such inputs, provided by Lyon Metropolitan Council, offer guidance to drivers and help them opt for the best route in a given traffic condition. As a result, it helps drivers improve their skills and lead to an improved traffic.
The application has two modules, namely, driving aid and advanced navigation module.
While the former does an analysis of driving and suggests ways for improvement, the latter helps interact with smartphones on traffic conditions.
Renault Trucks senior executive Bernard Modat said: "We may sometimes forget it, but trucks make an essential contribution to a city's life...For many years now, we have been working to reduce the impact they have on traffic as much as possible.
"The Optimod'Lyon project allowed us to test new services for drivers and make our contribution to improving traffic flow in urban areas. Going forward, we are planning on developing the uniformization of this data and services for other European metropolitan areas."
Image: SmartFreight prototype application, developed by Renault Trucks, guides a driver . Photo: courtesy of Renault Trucks.
