If you are the owner of a heavy vehicle such as an 18 wheeler, safety technology is of prime importance to you. Numerous lives are lost around the world in accidents involving these heavy vehicles. In the aftermath of an accident, an 18 wheeler accident lawyer can help us deal with different legal aspects of the mishap. However, there are several safety technologies that can save lives and prevent injuries by making heavy vehicle driving safer and easier.
Unfortunately, all the heavy vehicle safety technologies are not yet available as standard equipment with all vehicles. Also, their system capabilities tend to vary a great deal across vehicles. This is why it is important for drivers to understand all these upcoming technologies and opt for safety systems capable of providing the highest level of protection.
Discussed below are the five most effective crash avoidance technologies for heavy vehicles.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC (News - Alert)) System: an ESC system helps correct deviations from the desired course of the driver by applying braking to selected wheels. The intended path of the driver is assessed by the ESC system and it is compared with the actual direction of driving. This is done by monitoring vehicle performance in terms of lateral deceleration, wheel speeds, and yaw deceleration. Driving inputs such as braking level, throttle, and steering angle is also monitored by these systems.
ESC systems can help avoid roll-over crashes in situations where the vehicle has lost directional control. It is also effective in minimizing trailer swings while braking severely. Consider including these systems while purchasing a new vehicle because cost-effective retrofitting of ESC is not possible. Recent research suggests that approximately 4% of fatal heavy vehicle crashes can be prevented by using ESC systems.
Trailer Roll Stability (TRS) System: TRS systems are capable of predicting roll-over thresholds and the critical speeds at which this is likely to take place. This task is accomplished by the system via monitoring air suspension pressures, actual lateral acceleration, weight distribution between the trailer’s sides, and wheel speeds.
The TRS system prevents rollover by applying the brakes and decelerates the trailer, whenever the actual speed approaches the critical speed.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) System: Whenever any threat of a crash is detected in front of the vehicle, brakes are applied by an AEB system. The detection technology utilizes optical sensors and radars coupled with other vision processing technologies such as Lane Departure Warning System and Adaptive Cruise Control.
AEB technology is extremely reliable when it comes to minimizing collisions between vehicles traveling in the same direction. Almost 25% of fatal heavy vehicle crashes can be avoided by using AEB systems.
Autonomous Reverse Braking (ARB) System: As the name suggests, this technology functions during the reverse movement of heavy vehicles. ARB systems can detect objects including pedestrians and braking is applied immediately if a crash threat is detected behind it.
ARB systems provide warnings to the driver with the help of a detection system that makes use of radars and optical sensors. It provides autonomous braking, if no action is taken by the drivers. This system is easy to retrofit and can be applied to both combinations as well as rigid vehicles.
Electronic Braking System (EBS): As opposed to conventional air signals, Electronic Braking Systems utilize electronic signals, and the signals are transmitted by applying the brake pedals. This improves a heavy vehicle’s braking system performance as well as stopping distances.
When EBS is applied and released immediately in direct proportion to pedal pressure, it delivers instantaneous brake response. With its fast and simultaneous brake release, EBS allows the drivers to overcome brake drag that often results because of the brakes releasing momentarily later on certain axles compared to others.
