QUERÉTARO, QRO.- Safety in trucking no longer depends solely on the driver’s reaction. Systems capable of detecting vehicles, pedestrians, blind spots, or unintentional lane departures are being incorporated into tractor-trailers as an additional layer to anticipate risky situations on the road, explained Iván Martínez, Sales Manager for International , during the Tenth National Congress on Road Safety of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) .
Martínez presented some of the technologies that the manufacturer integrates into its vehicles and emphasized that the goal is to provide the operator with tools that help safeguard their safety. Among these is the collision mitigation system, which uses radar and cameras to monitor what is happening in front of the truck.
Technology as a complement to road safety
The incorporation of technology in heavy vehicles seeks to expand the capacity to respond to situations that may arise during operation, from emergency braking to loss of stability or a variation in tire conditions.
In this sense, the ABS and electronic stability control systems act in scenarios of sudden braking with the aim of maintaining control of the unit and reducing the risk of leaving the road, explained Martínez.
The condition of the braking system and tires is also part of this prevention. During the Road Safety Congress, it was highlighted that disc brakes can reduce braking distance by up to 25% , while tire pressure monitoring keeps the driver informed about one of the elements directly linked to vehicle behavior on the road.
However, road safety doesn’t end with preventing accidents . When a collision can no longer be prevented, passive safety features come into play , designed to reduce its consequences and protect the driver’s safety.
In the case of the units presented by International, the cab undergoes frontal, side, rear, and rollover impact tests to ensure the operator’s safety. Seat belts and airbags are also included as part of the safety features.
The brand also incorporates pedestrian detection and features that can reduce speed and even perform automatic braking when the system identifies a risk and the operator does not execute an evasive maneuver.
This technology is complemented by adaptive cruise control , which maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, as well as lane change and lane departure assistance, with audible and visual alerts when certain driving conditions are detected.
Another point addressed was visibility . The blind spot detection system presented by the company has an approximate range of 12 meters , with the aim of reducing risks during lane changes.
In addition, the units can incorporate cameras that replace or complement the function of rearview mirrors and transmit images to screens located inside the cab. According to International, this provides the operator with information about the sides and rear of the vehicle, as well as reducing the movements required to observe the surroundings during a maneuver.
Thus, technology is added as a tool within a broader road safety strategy: anticipating risks, providing information to the operator, supporting their reaction capacity and reducing the consequences when an accident cannot be avoided .
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