busnews.com.au July 2019 ABC^59possibly can be, and we have the ability for
the engine engineers to talk to the body
engineers and say ‘this is the vehicle rev
range, this is how the engine is going to
run, what do you need to do to encapsulate
the engine compartment to make it quiet?’
I think when we had our very first drive that
was the first thing that really stood out.”
Atkinson added: “We keep talking about
lifting the comfort for the passengers,
and it comes down to ‘if you are going to
do it, you might as well do it right’ – and
that’s not only a demand for the Australian
market, you’ve got to remember that it is
also a market demand from Europe. At the
launch of the Touring last year we had to
shuttle our guests from and back to Cairns.
The immediate feedback – and it was all
bus operators and their wives and partners
- was how quiet the coach was.”
DRIVER SUPPORT
Sometimes driving tools could be
interpreted as a way for operators to
monitor (spy on) their drivers, but the
response has been positive from feedback
on the Scania Driver Support system.
The system offers a combination of
driving tips and awards drivers a star
rating for their smoothness, anticipation
and safety.
“An example of how the Driver Support
works would be if you are approaching a
crest on a hill the driver support tool will
show a message like, ‘well done for lifting
off’, or if you don’t lift off it would say maybe
next time ‘lift off before cresting the hill’,
so it is offering praise or tips to help you
manage your efficiency,” Corne explained.
Yet it’s not just data collection. It has the
tips that help drivers correct or improve
areas of their driving and help them
improve bad driving habits and become
more efficient drivers.
Corne continued, “Essentially at theend of your shift – because it’s got the
Scania telematics system – that data is
collected and gathered of how you have
done on your drive. Your operations team,
or your management team, get accurate
information on your driving habits. With
your drivers, as long as they are willing to
follow the tips you will start to see running
cost come down because they have an
on-board driver trainer.”THE TEST DRIVE
For today’s drive we set off from Scania’s
headquarters at Campbellfield, Victoria.