Alert system and method for vehicle with extendable service component

A monitoring system for monitoring operation of a service vehicle, the monitoring system comprising:

• at least one component sensor input, each component sensor input being adapted to receive a respective component sensor signal representing a configuration of an extendable service component of the service vehicle;
• a speed signal input adapted to receive speed information signals representing a speed of the service vehicle;
• a wireless transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit an extended service component alert signal to provide at least one alert on at least one receiver remote from the service vehicle;
• and
• at least one controller coupled to the at least one component sensor input and the speed signal input and configured to use each component sensor signal to drive the transmitter to transmit the extended service component alert signal.

A monitoring system for monitoring operation of a service vehicle, the monitoring system comprising:

• at least one component sensor, each component sensor input being adapted to provide a respective component sensor signal representing a configuration of an extendable service component of the service vehicle;
• at least one component sensor input, each component sensor input being adapted to receive the respective component sensor signal;
• an automatic vehicle locator (AVL) unit, the AVL unit comprising:
• a speed signal input adapted to receive speed information signals representing a speed of the service vehicle;
• a wireless transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit an extended service component alert signal to provide at least one alert on at least one receiver remote from the service vehicle;
• and
• at least one controller coupled to the at least one component sensor input and the speed signal input and configured to use each component sensor signal to drive the transmitter to transmit the extended service component alert signal;
• each component sensor input comprising:
• a direct input terminal of the AVL unit;
• and
• a driver alert circuit electrically interposed between the respective component sensor and the direct input terminal;
• the driver alert circuit configured to, responsive to a signal indicating that that the extendable service component is out of its home configuration:
• provide at least one of an audible and a visual indicator in a driver cab of the vehicle;
• and
• pass the component sensor signal to the direct input terminal;
• wherein the driver alert circuit includes a delay circuit which delays passage of the component sensor signal to the direct input terminal for a predetermined period following activation of the at least one of the audible and the visual indicator.