Heavy Duty: Safety Technologies Impressive

The host of technologies making their way into the cab of heavy trucks is truly impressive.

While anti-lock brake systems were later in coming to heavy trucks than cars, they are now firmly entrenched in the on-board technologies available to truck owners and drivers and are just the tip of the technological iceberg.

A presentation by Don Coldwell, product support manager, Volvo Trucks Canada Inc., outlined some of these systems.

Night Vision: “A driver’s standard nighttime vision is about 300 feet ahead of the vehicle, with normal headlights and optimum conditions. With high beams, that length extends to about 500 feet. Bendix XVision will increase that distance to over 1,500 feet,” says Coldwell.

Collision Avoidance Systems: “Using radar technology, these systems have become standard issue on all Class 8 trucks in 2002. The forward looking collision system provides a collision avoidance system in its most basic form.”

Eaton’s Smartcruise: Allows the truck to maintain intervals from other vehicles in traffic, regardless of the set speed.

Lane Guidance Systems: Allow drivers to be alerted when they have wandered. “The best lane departure systems are designed to operate in the worst weather,” says Coldwell.

The Rollover Advisor: This system notifies a driver when a rollover risk is detected, and applies throttle back and braking.

Driver Inattention Warning Systems: There is a variety, including systems that detect the degree of eyelid droop.