Freightliner Debuts RunSmart Predictive Cruise for Cascadia

Freightliner Cascadia

Freightliner Trucks recently announced a new and more-advanced cruise control system for trucks called RunSmart Predictive Cruise. Just like its name suggests, the system attempts to evaluate the road ahead in order to adjust its settings and determine the most fuel efficient vehicle speed to correspond to the ahead traffic condition. Freightliner says the new technology is already available as an option for the Detroit Diesel DD15-equipped Cascadia with a 72-inch raised roof.

More specifically, the RunSmart Predictive Cruise function looks up to one mile ahead and determine the road grades and other factors based on information provided by GPS and 3D digital map technology. The system then adjusts its speed to provide maximum fuel efficient while staying within 6 percent of the set speed, the company said in a statement for the press.

The digital map data is provided by NAVTEQ and includes information regarding more than 200,000 miles of truck routes across the United States, it added.

“The NAVTEQ map provides the depth and accuracy required for fuel efficiency applications,” said Bob Denaro, vice president of ADAS, NAVTEQ. “Daimler’s use of map attributes for an on-board application independent of a navigation system is a significant industry accomplishment demonstrating major innovation.”

In addition, Derek Rotz, manager of advanced engineering for Daimler Trucks North America, says this function is just the first service in a row of advanced technologies supposed to enhance fuel efficiency, so new systems are expected to arrive in the near future.

"This is part of our long term vision to improve truck efficiency using GPS and 3D digital map technology. RunSmart Predictive Cruise shows what can be achieved through dedication and collaboration to break new ground. We’re proud to be first in this industry to bring predictive technologies to the market," he said.