Capital Equipment News October 2017

Emergency brake assist

HMI

Scenario

Speed retardation

“The reason we have introduced local in- stallation is to reduce the cost of import- ing the trucks with active safety features, especially considering the duty implica- tions,” says Gush. Gush has seen an increased interest in active safety features by local truck owners. He reasons that early adopters of these in- novations are forward thinking companies that embrace safety technologies because of their experience with the cost of a collision to their businesses. He adds that the R45 000 upfront cost of the Volvo Active Safety Pack- age is insignificant compared to the cost of accidents. Volvo Active Safety Package in detail The Volvo Active Safety Package comprises the Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Support, Lane Changing Support and Driver Alert Support. The Adaptive Cruise Control automatically adapts the vehicle’s speed to the actual flow of traffic and informs the driver when the distance to the vehicle in front represents a risk. “The system has a radar fitted to the front of the truck, which interacts with I-Shift and the vehicle’s brakes. If the distance becomes unsafe, the wheel brakes are activated,” explains Gush. Emergency Braking Assist allows for a warning system first, in the form of a red light on the windscreen that is activated when the system detects a vehicle that the truck may likely collide with at its current speed. “Should the driver not react, the warning signal is upgraded to a flashing red light and beeping; if this is ignored then the system mildly applies the braking

through the use of a camera sensor that tracks the position of the truck in its respective lane as well as monitoring the steering wheel movements of the truck; this detects if the driver is inattentive or drowsy. If any symptoms of fatigue or tiredness are detected, the audio- visual alert is activated. “The system continuously monitors driving behaviour and the position of the truck in relation to the lane and road edges,” says Gush. “It is aimed at preventing accidents through the detection of drowsy and inattentive driving habits and encourages the driver to take a break in such circumstances.” Meanwhile, Acloclock is a factory- mounted electronic breath alcohol analyser designed to reduce alcohol- related accidents. “It requires the driver to take a breathalyser before the engine of the truck can be started. It is made of a stationary unit inside the instrument panel of the truck and a hand-held unit with a cable,” says Gush. Alcolock is not part of the Active Safety Package, however, it is available as an optional extra. Towards active safety Quoting Volvo Trucks’ Accident Research into truck safety, which indicates that 90% of all truck safety incidents are due entirely

system of the truck,” says Gush. In the event of this also failing, the emergency braking system activates to ensure that the truck is prevented from colliding with the vehicle. Emergency braking is only available on the FH model range. Lane Keeping Support drastically reduc- es risk factors in traffic such as tiredness and distraction. The system is designed for long haul operations and monitors the truck’s position on the road when ex- ceeding speeds of 60 km/h. If the driver unintentionally crosses a road marking, the system alerts the driver by means of a buzzer. “Lane Keeping Support alerts the driver with an audible signal during unin- tentional deviation from the driving lane. A digital video camera system constantly monitors the truck’s position relative to the road markings,” explains Gush. Lane Changing Support uses a radar sys- tem that checks the blind spot area when the driver activates the turn signal. If the blind spot area is not clear, it notifies the driver by a means of a loud hooter sound and a flashing icon on the passenger side’s A-pillar. “Changing lanes can be a chall- enge for drivers due to blind spots, espe- cially on the passenger side. This feature helps drivers in that regard,” says Gush. Driver Alert Support monitors the driver

“Lane Keeping Support alerts the driver with an audible signal during unintentional deviation from the driving lane. A digital video camera system constantly monitors the truck’s position relative to the road markings.”

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS OCTOBER 2017 11