Canadian firm Altitude by Geotab is aggregating telematics data to help identify high-risk roadway segments and improve truck safety on US highways.

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is leading an FHWA-sponsored project using aggregate truck telematics insights from Altitude by Geotab.

TTI, in collaboration with Altitude by Geotab, has been selected by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Freight Management to lead an initiative aimed at improving truck safety on US highways. The project will focus on identifying high-risk road segments, leveraging TTI’s transportation research expertise and Geotab’s aggregated and anonymised commercial truck telematics data to enhance roadway safety.

“This partnership with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute represents a critical step towards enhancing truck safety on US roadways,” said Nate Veeh, Altitude by Geotab associate vice president. “By leveraging our expertise in truck telematics data and analytics, we aim to empower TTI and the FHWA with the actionable insights needed to proactively address roadway safety challenges. This project aligns perfectly with our mission to drive safer, more efficient and resilient mobility throughout North America.”

Truck accidents pose a significant risk on US roads, with an estimated 29,135 fatalities in the first nine months of 2024 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while there were 168,320 truck-related crashes in 2022. It is estimated that approximately one in three long-haul truck drivers will face a serious accident over the course of their career. Substantial costs are incurred due to accidents, while most settlements remain under $1m, averaging $400,000, this can be a significant financial impact to trucking companies.

Improving safety and mobility on US highways requires high-quality data insights. The telematics data Altitude provides will help TTI perform in-depth analyses of potential crash hazards, traffic patterns and roadway risk factors. These data will help identify high-risk roadway segments, analyse traffic patterns and assess potential hazards. The findings should enable transportation agencies, state departments and industry partners to implement measures that reduce accidents and enhance freight mobility nationwide.

“The Texas A&M Transportation Institute is proud to lead this ground-breaking initiative to enhance roadway safety for freight vehicles,” said Jack Kong, TTI assistant research scientist. “By integrating Geotab’s cutting-edge telematics data with our research expertise, we aim to deliver actionable insights that address high-risk locations and support FHWA’s decision-making process.”

This initiative supports FHWA’s mission to ensure safe and seamless freight flow within the US transportation system. By identifying and addressing hazardous road segments, the project should enhance safety and efficiency in freight movement, benefiting the economy and public safety.

Altitude by Geotab (altitude.geotab.com) provides mobility insights for public and commercial sectors across North America. Headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, the company leverages its expertise in data analytics to help decision-makers gain an understanding of road network movements. By delivering reliable and contextualised insights, it enables improved planning capabilities and better financial outcomes, while prioritising data confidentiality and privacy.

TTI (tti.tamu.edu) is an agency of the state of Texas and member of the Texas A&M University System. For 70 years, TTI has addressed complex transportation difficulties and opportunities with innovation, objectivity and technical expertise.