The truck maker Ryder has developed a new type of truck cabin that is specifically designed to facilitate the unique needs of female truck drivers.
The new “female-friendly vehicle package” includes features such as adjustable seat belt shoulder straps, improved placement of dashboard gauges, adjusted height and placement of grab handles, and better access to oil and coolant checks and fill ports.
Optional features include a hood lift/closure assistance mechanism, fifth-wheel configurations with lower pull pressures to open in the locking mechanism, automatic landing-gear operators for trailers, and a special security system for sleeper cabs.
Scott Perry, Ryder’s VP for supply chain management and global fuel products, said there are more woman truck drivers on the roads than ever before. Yet most big rigs are designed for larger men. This new package gives women an alternative.
“This custom truck package is not only more ergonomically friendly to women, but will also benefit other drivers with the same types of needs,” Perry said in a company news release. “Our intent is to not only help attract more women to the industry, but also to make the vehicles easier and safer for a broader range of drivers to operate. As an industry leader, we feel a responsibility to leverage our influence and find creative ways to deal with the professional truck driver shortage.”