Page 10 - ATR 5 2019 digital

NEWS IN BRIEF

ARKANSAS ROAD TEAM SELECTS Since forming in 2015, Road Team
FOUR NEW CAPTAINS captains have taken their Share the
The Arkansas Trucking Association Road safe-driving program to hundreds
is pleased to announce it has added four of schools and other events throughout
new members to the Arkansas Road the state. Presentations are offered at
Team, a select group of professional no cost and can be scheduled by con-
drivers chosen for their commitment to tacting ATA at 501-372-3462.
highway safety, communication ability “In the four years since we formed
and interest in improving the image of the Arkansas Road Team, these drivers
the trucking industry. This complimen- have visited more than 100 schools,
tary outreach program of the ATA serves community groups, and events to share
as a public education service to address their experiences on the road,” said
highway safety and to educate the Shannon Newton, president of the
motoring public on safe driving, espe- Arkansas Trucking Association. “That’s
cially near large commercial vehicles. thousands of Arkansans hearing our
The following exceptional pro- story, meeting our workforce face-to-
fessional drivers were selected to the face, and learning what it takes to share
Arkansas Road Team: the road safely.”
Rodney Ashbrook (Benton, Ark.)
ABF Freight FROM ARCADE TO ROAD-READY
Chris Parker (Pine Bluff, Ark.) The video gaming and eSports mar-
FedEx Freight ket is bigger than the music or televi-
Jeff Cochran (Texarkana, Texas) sion market, and that business could be
FedEx Freight coming to a vehicle near you.
Jessie King (Bryant, Ark.) Two programmers from Daimler
FedEx Freight showcased a Mercedes-Benz that
“This year’s finalists for the users could use to play a variant of
Arkansas Road Team can claim not just Nintendo’s Mario Kart. The real car
outstanding safety records, but they was the players’ controller. The car’s
are truly community leaders who are center console screen showed the track,
passionate about their jobs to deliver enforcement officials on their knowl- and the real steering wheel and pedals
America’s freight while looking out for edge of the trucking industry, dedica- navigated a virtual go-cart through the
the safety of everyone they share the tion to safety, overall safe driving record game.
road with,” said Skylar Hatfield, direc- and ability to communicate the truck- The game was a proof of concept
tor of safety services at the Arkansas ing industry’s message. to demonstrate how programmers can
Trucking Association. “They are the best The Arkansas Road Team was made create apps that can integrate with the
ambassadors our industry has.” possible after the Arkansas Highway telematics system MBUX (Mercedes-
Candidates for the Road Team Commission awarded the asso- Benz User Experience). Possible custom-
competed in the final stage of a selec- ciation with funds from the Arkansas izations could include apps that allow
tion process on Oct. 11 in Little Rock, Commercial Truck Safety and Education drivers to pay for gas or dictate a shop-
Ark. Nominees were judged by a panel Program (ACTSEP) to promote safety on ping list, but in-car gaming is a real-
of trucking industry professionals and Arkansas roadways. 

10 Issue 5 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT