Beyond the Brake Lights: Navigating Traffic and Slowdowns with Trimble CoPilot

Construction and traffic are unavoidable facts of life on the road. Without routine construction, our roads and highways fall into disrepair. But with every construction project comes a work zone, which can affect both safety and efficiency in the form of traffic and slowdowns. It’s essential that drivers are provided with the information they need to anticipate and navigate these troublesome areas and prepare for traffic when possible.

In the article below, we’ll explore the impact of work zones and traffic on carrier operations and how Trimble CoPilot can help drivers avoid accidents that can result from unexpected slowdowns and traffic.

The impact of work zones and traffic on safety

The most significant way work zones and other incidents on the road affect carrier operations is in their tendency to create traffic and slowdowns. Without proper warning of traffic and slowdowns, fully loaded commercial trucks might have a difficult time stopping safely.

While a car traveling at 55 miles per hour needs approximately 135 feet to come to a complete stop, a large commercial vehicle traveling the same speed requires up to 200 feet to stop on average. On highways where speeds are much higher, even minor road impediments can cause traffic to back up, forcing drivers to quickly slow down. And when different conditions are factored in, this discrepancy can result in even greater danger.

For example, according to Arnold & Itkin, a law firm specializing in commercial trucking claims, “If a truck’s brakes are ‘hot’—meaning the driver has been using them for a while—the commercial vehicle may take up to 450 feet to come to a halt.” This difference in stopping distance can be critical, as “even a seemingly small margin of 75 feet can make a life or death difference in an accident.”

Unexpected slowdowns and traffic are dangers for everyone on the road, including construction workers. According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, an estimated 105,000 crashes occurred in work zones across the United States in 2021, resulting in 42,000 injuries. And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 956 total fatalities in work zones in 2021 among workers, pedestrians and drivers.

And beyond the safety risks, traffic has a tremendous impact on fleets’ operating costs, supply chains, driver satisfaction, ETAs and customer satisfaction; without complete knowledge of delays along a route, traffic could cost a fleet’s revenue, efficiency and reputation. For example, according to the most recent “Cost of Congestion Study” from the American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry wasted more than 6.4 billion gallons of diesel due to traffic jams, adding approximately $32.1 billion to their operating expenses.” 

Warning drivers of slowdowns before they become problems

It’s critical that commercial drivers are warned of potential traffic hazards at the earliest opportunity. Our goal is to help drivers be as safe on the road as possible and to do that, we believe it’s imperative to provide them with as much information as possible. CoPilot, our commercial navigation solution, is designed to give professional drivers the truck- and load-specific guidance they need to safely and efficiently find their destinations.

But in addition to CoPilot’s navigation capabilities, we also offer a specialized traffic service designed to provide real-time traffic information along a route and alert drivers of risks as they travel. This solution combines historical data with real-time data to give a clear picture of a route’s condition, allowing drivers to avoid problematic areas, get precise travel times and provide the most accurate ETAs to customers.

CoPilot can also provide alternative routes for drivers to help them efficiently avoid traffic incidents and the potential delays that may occur as a result. By incorporating best practices and a smart, in-cab solution, drivers are better prepared to handle diverse traffic conditions, whether navigating through low emission zones or construction areas. At the route level, fleets are better able to prepare for delays, and at the minute-to-minute navigation level, drivers are better able to prepare for risky situations.

Want to learn more about all of CoPilot’s safety features? Check out our complete guide.

We’re committed to helping drivers anticipate and safely maneuver through these complex areas by leveraging advanced technology and real-time data. We aim to ensure that drivers have the tools they need to operate safely, no matter where their routes take them.

Interested in CoPilot and how it can improve your fleet’s safety and efficiency? Check out the solution page or contact our team.