DAIMLER Trucks showcased their innovative "Predictive Cruise Control (PCC)" system in the "Freightliner New Innovation Truck" study at the Mid-America Trucking Show last week.
The PCC assistance system uses map and satellite-based route previews and saves substantial amounts of fuel.
Unlike a conventional cruise control system that tries to maintain a preset speed, regardless of how the terrain changes, the PCC system looks for its route a mile in advance and adjusts engine output to the uphill and downhill gradients ahead.
Based on this information, the on-board computer calculates the optimum speed to use the momentum of the truck to maximize fuel economy.
The fuel saving is achieved by adapting the preset cruise control speed without reducing the average speed.
What the truck loses in terms of speed going uphill is offset by the momentum going downhill.
This saves a substantial amount of fuel, according to the company.
It will be available as an option from July 2009, marketed as RunSmart Predictive Cruise, in Freightliner Cascadia trucks with a 72-inch raised roof and DD15 engine.