With the advent of widespread computer accessibility, the development of new technology became a true cornerstone of many economies. Though the changes started slow, ideas that seemed farfetched just two decades before are now the norm. From a small, wireless phone that can be used to control home and vehicle technology to an unlimited amount of information available on-demand, the internet is undoubtedly an essential part of many people’s lives.
Yet, the availability of technology has thrown many industries off-kilter, and the only economic trend that seems safe to bet on is the never-ending march of technological advancement. While some see this as a positive trend, others fear it’s more of a runaway train. And, as anyone who buys a next generation iPhone can tell you, new technology often equals new questions and new problems. The automotive manufacturers and carwash industry are definitely not immune to these issues.
Ironically, some new automotive technologies designed to protect vehicles and drivers have led to accidents and damage in carwashes. In September 2016, the International Carwash Association (ICA) announced an initiative to look closer at how emerging technologies will affect carwash operators.1 This is a good example of the educational opportunities carwash owners, managers and employees will need in 2017 and beyond. Looking to the future, there is little doubt that new vehicle technology will change frequently, and a proactive approach to dealing with potential issues will be more important than ever before.
Tomorrow’s vehicles
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from crashes on U.S. roads. According to the IIHS, multiple crash avoidance features are rapidly making their way into new vehicles.2
The IIHS reports that the most common new technologies are:
- Forward collision warning
- Autobraking
- Lane departure warning
- Lane departure prevention
- Adaptive headlights
- Blind spot detection.
Unfortunately for carwash owners, one piece of new vehicle technology currently causing issues in wash tunnels — and one that is poised to cause more problems in the future — is currently the most widely adopted feature. Announced in March 2016, 20 automakers that make up more than 99 percent of the U.S. auto market agreed to make automatic braking a standard feature on virtually all new cars by 2022. This agreement was reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the IIHS.3
Related: The automotive industry: How it was and what to expect
The automatic emergency braking systems help prevent crashes or reduce severity by applying a vehicle’s brakes automatically. The systems use sensors such as radar, cameras or lasers to detect an imminent crash, warn the driver and apply the brakes. The 20 companies’ unprecedented agreement to add this feature means that this new vehicle technology will be available to more consumers more quickly than would be possible through the regulatory process.
Beating braking systems
The quick addition of new technology to vehicles is not a new trend. Stuart Levy, president of Auto Glanz Solutions, recalls that, previously, manufacturers’ vehicle design changes would occur about every three years. Today, it seems like updates occur every year. “Newer vehicles are equipped with all kinds of new technology. My vehicle has [warning] sensors, and while they have not gone off when wrap-around brushes touch the vehicle, I could certainly see the possibility.”
Fortunately, some carwash equipment manufacturers have recognized that automobile safety configurations can present a problem for wash equipment. Levy says wrap-around brushes — as well as top brushes — can be controlled to retract on certain types of vehicles. Further, some equipment can now be controlled by the carwash’s computer entry system.
Related: Autonomous driving safety features create problems at carwashes
“This is a very sophisticated type of system that allows for the wash equipment to be programmed and automatically make adjustments for the height and size of the vehicle. While this is still a fairly new innovation, it is a great way to avoid any possible damage in the wash while at the same time producing a cleaner vehicle,” Levy states.
Martin Geller, owner of Vehicle Wash Systems, has been in the carwash industry for more than 40 years. Currently, he is focused on safer equipment for individual carwash owners as well as custom systems for the automotive industry and truck and bus washes. According to Geller, operators should consider a different type of conveyor to address automated braking.
“When you’re in a conventional carwash today, you’re on the conveyor and the car is rolling. When the car senses the mitter curtain or the wrap-around, the brakes will be applied,” Geller says. With a flat belt conveyor, however, all four wheels are stationary on a belt. The vehicle does not sense it is moving, so it will not apply the brakes. And, even if the brakes are applied, the vehicle will keep moving to the end of the track.
Driverless and electric vehicles
As for further new technologies, the IIHS explains that the days of driverless cars pulling into a carwash are still far from reality. Though more vehicles are incorporating a degree of automation with technologies such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping support, the driver will continue to share driving responsibilities. Though fully automated driving could eliminate the vast majority of crashes on the road in theory, that level of automation is still in the distant future.
“Judging from headlines, one might think dealer lots are brimming with cars that allow drivers to clock out while radar, cameras and other sensors do the navigating,” the IIHS notes. “Though the U.S. market is inching toward that reality, consumers can’t buy a fully self-driving car and likely won’t be able to for many years.”4
Geller agrees but points out that the automated driving vehicles set for future use will be equipped with sensors on every side. Even in this instance, a flat belt conveyor system won’t require the vehicle to roll, and it will not sense that it’s moving. Thus, when it’s on the flat belt conveyor, the sensors won’t activate automated braking systems.
For one innovative electric vehicle manufacturer, the rail-free conveyor design prevents another potential damage issue. Geller states that Tesla vehicles have battery boxes hanging underneath that will sometimes hit conveyor rails. “If you go on certain conveyors, that battery box will hit the rail. [A flat belt] conveyor doesn’t have a guide rail behind the wheel of the vehicle, so there’s nothing to hit it.”
Addressing new vehicle technology issues
Though these are only a few examples of the new vehicle technology changes carwash operators can expect in the future, it is obvious operators need to educate themselves on new vehicle changes regularly. Levy says that this can be done by checking out vehicle manufacturers’ websites and looking for design changes that could present potential problems. As certain features that are now optional become standard, more problems could be created.
“There are so many new features on today’s modern automobile that it is easy for the driver to become confused, especially in the carwash when they are not sure of what is taking place,” Levy explains.
Also, the upcoming technology changes showcase that it is important for operators to better educate their employees on some of the new issues with these vehicles. According to Levy, the better informed employees are, the less likely it is that damage or an accident could occur, especially as older model vehicles leave the road and are replaced by newer ones. “In full service type carwashes, educating drive-off employees becomes really critical. Many cars are now equipped with push button auto starts and rear view cameras for an employee to check if he or she has to back up.”
One way to better train employees on what to look for would be to communicate issues during regular employee meetings. An operator can even have some new vehicle brochures in the breakroom or common area for employees to look over. Levy notes that educating all workers is a challenge, but management has the obligation to keep its employees informed.
Preventing vehicle damage has always been a hurdle for carwash owners. Also, the lifecycle of today’s carwash equipment ensures it will last a long time. Operators should remain aware of new equipment innovations coming into the market, Levy states. Here, operators can remain aware simply by reading industry magazines, attending carwash shows, talking to equipment manufacturers about how they see the future and finding out what their plans are to better adapt washes. Operators should also talk to their distributors about the equipment they represent and learn about new vehicle technology that may be coming out.
“Finally, in my opinion, it is incumbent upon the carwash operator and/or management to be aware of carwash equipment changes that are taking place within the industry,” Levy concludes. “There are always better and safer ways to clean a vehicle. Repairing vehicle damage of any kind is much more expensive today than it was 10 years ago. Be aware. Be up to date.”
Eugene Allen is a freelance contributor.
Sources:
1 http://www.carwash.org/blog-landing/ica-car-wash-blog/2016/09/15/ica-announces-initiative-to-address-new-vehicle-technologies
2 http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/automation-and-crash-avoidance/topicoverview
3 http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/u-s-dot-and-iihs-announce-historic-commitment-of-20-automakers-to-make-automatic-emergency-braking-standard-on-new-vehicles
4 http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/51/8/1
