Freight Rail Vehicles - Commercial Vehicle OBE Functionality

Subsystem Description

The Commercial Vehicle On–Board Equipment (OBE) resides in a commercial vehicle and provides the sensory, processing, storage, and communications functions necessary to support safe and efficient commercial vehicle operations. It provides two–way communications between the commercial vehicle drivers, their fleet managers, attached freight equipment, and roadside officials. A separate 'Vehicle OBE' physical object supports vehicle safety and driver information capabilities that apply to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. The Commercial Vehicle OBE supplements these general ITS capabilities with capabilities that are specific to commercial vehicles.

Functional Object: CV On-Board Cargo Monitoring

'CV On–Board Cargo Monitoring' monitors the location and status of the commercial vehicle and its cargo. It sends the collected data to appropriate centers and roadside facilities, including emergency management in the case of HAZMAT incidents. Depending on the nature of the cargo, it may include sensors that measure temperature, pressure, load leveling, acceleration, and other attributes of the cargo.

Functional Object: CV On-Board Safety and Security

'CV On–Board Safety and Security' collects and processes vehicle and driver safety and security information and provides safety and security information to the Fleet and Freight Management Center. It also supplies this information to the roadside facilities both at mainline speeds and while stopped for inspections. Safety information may also be provided at predetermined trigger areas using wireless communications. The capability to alert the commercial vehicle driver whenever there is a critical safety or security problem or potential emergency is also provided. It also supports on–board driver safety log maintenance and checking.

Functional Object: CV On-Board Trip Monitoring

'CV On–Board Trip Monitoring' provides the capabilities to support fleet management with automatic vehicle location and automated mileage and fuel reporting and auditing. In addition, this equipment is used to monitor the planned route and notify the Fleet and Freight Management Center of any deviations. Freight–specific traveler information and restrictions are also collected and reported to the driver to support the trip.