Driver Assistance Technology as a Co-Pilot
The roundtable discussion was hosted by the U.S. National Safety Council. Photo: Stephane Babcock
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The roundtable discussion was hosted by the U.S. National Safety Council. Photo: Stephane Babcock
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SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Advanced driver assistance systems like the ones that sound an alarm if you’re tailgating — or even apply vehicle brakes automatically — are proving themselves to be more than a novelty.
Schneider has already equipped 12,000 of its trucks with autonomous emergency braking systems that will act if a crash seems imminent. Related collisions have now dropped by 69% and their severity has plunged 95%, says Thomas DiSalvi, the fleet’s vice president – safety and loss prevention. “This is ready for prime time.”
The underlying technologies have clearly come a long way, according to participants in a roundtable hosted this week by the U.S. National Safety Council.
In-dash and audible warnings give drivers a chance to react before automated brakes apply.
In-dash and audible warnings give drivers a chance to react before automated brakes apply.
Fred Andersky, director – customer solutions and marketing at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, refers to early Eaton VORAD collision warning systems as “the old bridge detection system” because of false warnings that were triggered by more than surrounding hazards. But it all laid the groundwork for the idea that technology could generate safety-related responses, he said.
Gains have also been based on another longstanding equipment update in the form of Antilock Braking Systems (ABS). Those made possible the Electronic Stability Controls (ESC) that automatically apply selected brakes to help prevent rollovers. Meanwhile, the data from cameras and radar needed to monitor lane positions and following distance have built on such brakes and stability controls to create collision mitigation systems that keep a virtual foot hovering above brake pedals.
It’s why Andersky is concerned by suggestions that the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration might sacrifice plans to mandate Electronic Stability Controls – answering a presidential order …Read the rest of this story
