Kenworth T800 High-Tech Truck Showcases Latest in Security, Safety and Productivity

    LOUISVILLE, Ky.--March 20, 2002--Security, safety and productivity are the focus of Kenworth Truck Company's latest high-tech concept vehicle unveiled today at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.
    "In today's world, it's even more imperative for truck manufacturers to push the envelope by providing truck fleets with effective security and safety technology," said Ed Caudill, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president.
    "This new Kenworth T800 High-Tech Truck is really a technological marvel," Caudill said. "It features technologies that could be part of a secret agent's repertoire -- biometric authentication, GPS-based telematics tracking systems, Surround Electronic Vision System, Kenworth Night Vision, and high-intensity discharge headlamps. Kenworth is truly on technology's cutting edge with this latest concept vehicle."
    Kenworth teamed with Heil Trailer International to produce a T800 High-Tech Truck specifically designed for bulk haulers, which typically transport cargo such as fuel and hazardous materials. Tractor and trailer systems are integrated so that they can electronically "communicate" with each other.
    The Kenworth truck's key security technology is a biometric authentication system, which checks a driver's authorization to operate a specific truck within a fleet.
    "When the driver's fingerprint is verified via a sensor, the ignition system is enabled and the vehicle can be operated at normal traffic speeds," said Jim Bechtold, Kenworth chief engineer. "If the fingerprint doesn't match, the vehicle can still be started. But it's at a severely restricted horsepower, thus limiting operation to well below normal speeds. The fleet dispatcher also receives an alert message via wireless communication that an unauthorized user is involved."
    Kenworth's GPS-based telematics tracking system allows fleet dispatchers to track the movement of a truck throughout North America. The dispatcher receives information on the driver's identity, adherence to a predetermined and authorized route, vehicle weight, and other data.
    "If a truck is stolen or hijacked, the system allows the truck to be tracked and the driver and cargo found quickly by the authorities," Bechtold said. "Even if the driver is forced to give a fingerprint, the dispatcher can still disable the truck remotely by using wireless technology."