How modern technologies used in trucks influence safety on the road

Not so long ago we wrote about truck platooning whose aim is to increase safety of road transport and decrease its cost. Whereas the integrated convoys are still the song of the future, modern trucks already boast technologically advanced systems which increase safety.PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMSWhen we talk about car safety, we most frequently refer to passive safety features, i.e. those which maximise the chances of passengers to survive a crash unharmed. In the case of trucks, passive safety is of secondary importance, however. It is because according to statistics, just 15-20% of seriously injured or killed in tuck accidents are its passengers. Nevertheless, truck manufacturers make every effort to design them in the way that would boost the passive safety of the vehicle. So the trucks are equipped with modern seats and headrest systems, air bag systems and more and more modern and comfortable seatbelts (unfortunately, they are still seldom fastened - in 2013, Volvo Trucks reported that half of the fatalities of truck accidents could have survived had they used the seat belts!). Another thing undergoing changes is the construction of the suspension and the cabin - the objective is to ensure safety of people inside and to minimise damage caused by objects which hit it.In the already mentioned 2013 report it was estimated that approximately 90% of accidents which involved trucks were caused by the human error. Most frequently they were connected with failing to notice another motorist or misjudging their speed or course. Therefore it is not surprising that truck manufacturers equip them with more and more advanced systems which are supposed to prevent such events.ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMSMuch attention today is given to the elimination of blind spots, i.e. areas around the vehicle which the driver is not able to see from the cabin. Since 2007, blind spot mirrors has been mandatory equipment of every truck and as of 2009 they must be mounted on all trucks in the European Union, also on older ones. This doesn't mean however, that the problem of blind spots has been eliminated. Truck makers are still redesigning the mirror systems so as to maximize visibility. It is also not accidental that most of the cabin is covered with glass.  Even a little extra visibility can prevent an accident. Also electronic systems come to the aid of truck drivers. Many trucks are equipped with light or sound sensors indicating that someone or something is in the vehicle blind spot (they work like the more developed version of the BLIS system used in cars). Also reverse cameras and cameras showing the space right in front of the tractor are getting more and more popular (they turn on automatically when the speed drops below a certain level, e.g. 30 km/h). They are accompanied by sensor systems detecting obstacles when turning or changing a lane. Some of the new vehicles are equipped with bend lighting which improve visibility while manoeuvring.Also systems of automatic driving are worth noting. Today they focus not just on comfort but also on increasing safety. Modern cruise control systems equipped with forward collision warning systems or even the automatic cruise control (like Stop-and-go). Drivers can also count on lane departure warning systems like LDWS or LGS.Also the correctly operating braking system have the key impact on safety of the truck. Modern transport vehicles are equipped with systems shortening braking distance and systems which minimize losing control over the vehicle when braking. Apart from the ABS system known from cars, which has been a standard for trucks for a long time now, they include:

• EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) – mandatory from November 2015 in newly registered trucks above 8 tons. When a threat is detected on the road, it prepares the truck for braking and warns the driver with the sound signal.
• EBS (Electronic Brake System) – electric shift of braking force which allows to speed up the effect of pushing the brake pedal.
• EBL (Electronic Brake Force Limitation) – system adjusting the braking force to each axle depending on the vehicle load.
• ASR/TCS/ATC (Anti-Slip Regulation/ Traction Control System/Automatic Traction Control) – system which eliminates slipping when starting and speeding up in slippery surfaces.
• ESP/ESC/VSC (Electronic Stability Program/Electronic Stability Control/Vehicle Stability Control) – system which prevents underteering and oversteering of the vehicle or a tractor/trailer set (if the trailer also has such a system).
• RSC (Roll Stability Control) – system which stabilizes the tilt of the vehicle to prevent the set from rolling over.
• TSA (Trailer Swing Assist) – system which stabilizes the trailer in specially difficult conditions.
• TPM (Tyre Pressure Monitoring) – system which informs about pressure drop in any of the wheels.

Raben Transport, a part of Raben Group which specializes in full truck load transports, pays special attention to safety and, that is why, they invest in modern trucks with active safety systems. Over 90% of Raben Transport fleet has such functionalities as lane departure warning systems, active cruise control and electronic stability programs.Those system allow for minimizing the risk of accidents. Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that they do not release drivers from the obligation to stay sharp on the road and adjust the driving style to the conditions outside. Only by combining modern technology with responsible driving are we able to make our roads safe.