Some of your ideas seem good, but more in driver comfort should be the way forward, for example, the american trucks have on board toilet, shower, tv, sofa which turns into a bed cooking and washing facilities. The americans often travel great distances and away from home a lot, in the uk we have trampers both european and domestic with the latter being away mon-fri/sat, whereas some of the european trampers are away for 3 weeks to a month and sometimes more, so these comforts are important…BUT bosses are looking at ways to cut spending rather than increase, and COST is the problem. There may be a few bosses wishing to spend big money on a flagship truck with all the bells and whistles as they say, and maybe an owner driver, but thats about it, as you have noticed maybe, the overall length of a vehicles combination has been increased recently but companies spend their money on more floor space, hence the extra long trailers, and dont believe the ■■■■■■■■ about companies saving the environment with longer vehicles meaning they will reduce the loads going on other vehicles, its purely for their own gain, 2 for 1+. There was a company who trialled one trailer pulling another, the trial went well with the rear trailer following in the footsteps of the forward trailer, our DEPT for Transport refused it a road permit so its just sitting around, so i cant see at the moment them allowing extra length just to give a driver more comfort, and there are a couple of american trucks in the uk working, but with a reduced length trailer I believe as most would put them overlength. Digi tachos were brought in as a spy in the cab because the old system was open to abuse, whereas the digi keeps a closer watchful eye to the minute, but employers still take advantage of the hours regulations, and force drivers to work 15 hours a day with only a 9 hour rest before the next 15 hour day, and that 9 hour rest includes travelling to and from base, eating, showering, and not leaving much left with which to get some sleep. Reversing isnt a problem if a driver watches what he is doing, and there would be no need to have a cab that lifts and rotates in my opinion. Low bridges are a problem for drivers who are not familiar with a certain area and can come across them, and often is the case where there is no room to turn around a large vehicle, but there are also idiotic drivers who will try and get under a 4m bridge knowing their vehicle is 4.2 for example, there are sat navs available especially for truckers and will list bridge heights etc. What this industry needs is a good shake up with lots of help from the government, for example parking is a big issue, especially with the large influx of foreign vehicles taking the same spaces we used to, and often leaves other hauliers having to go on to the next available one, but with our bosses pushing drivers to do the extra mile and hour, and the regulations that control us, leaves us with no choice at times but to break the law to get to a safe parking place for the night. As in many other european countries, there are parking laybys in between services, and often with toilet facilities, this is what one government promised us a few years ago, but never initiated it, plus we also have the problem of payment, for not every haulier tells its drivers to park in comfort and security and they will pay, a lot of them dont, forcing the driver to overnight without facilities like a layby for example.I have covered a few of your ideas so will leave it some nof the others to add or detract what i have written, and good luck with your project.
from previous drivers (washable fabric surfaces?)
& if they were how would they find it 