Get with the (Safety) System
When it comes to riding the road, safety isn’t one more thing to think about – it’s everything. So it’s vitally important to equip your trucks with the right features to keep your drivers safe. Keep reading to learn more about the safety systems there to keep drivers truckin' along.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC)
Adaptive cruise control can make driving trucks safer and less fatiguing. Integrated with your normal cruise control system, ACC “reads” traffic conditions via front-facing radar sensor and modulates the throttle and the brakes to keep your truck at a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front of it. Then, when the road is clear, the system will re-accelerate the vehicle back to the set speed.
COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM
When a forward moving or stationary vehicle enters an unsafe driving distance from the truck, the system utilizes audible and visual alerts to warn the driver and if necessary applies the brakes to mitigate an imminent collision. This functionality operates whether cruise control is activated or not.
SIDE OBJECT DETECTION
The side object detection system continuously monitors a truck’s blind spots and provides the driver with audible and visual alerts when an object or vehicle has entered these zones — invaluable when making a lane change or negotiating tight delivery sites.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
Prevents wheel lock-up when the vehicle is over braked, often reducing stopping distances. Vehicles can retain directional stability and steer-ability even under emergency braking on slippery road surfaces. ABS also reduces the danger of jackknifing in the case of vehicle combinations
AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL (ATC)
Prevents wheel spin under acceleration as the drive torque exceeds the drive tires to road surface adhesion. The ATC system communicates with the engine ECU to reduce engine power or will apply the brake to the drive wheels depending on the low traction event.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)
Helps to restore vehicle stability through the use of ABS, ATC and steering direction in the prevention of rollovers and jackknifing. Steering angle, yaw, suspension pressure and brake application pressure sensors monitor the intended vehicle directional control versus actual vehicle movement. ESP intervenes by applying individual wheel brakes, or reduced engine torque when required to enhance vehicle stability. The system is compatible with multi-trailer combinations.
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW)
The LDW system detects when a vehicle drifts across a lane marking. When this occurs and the turn signal is not activated, the unit automatically emits an audible warning, alerting the driver to make a correction. It gives drivers the ability to combat lane drift related to fatigue, distractions and unfavorable weather conditions, working effectively both day and night and in most weather conditions, like rain or fog, where visibility is limited.
DRIVER PERFORMANCE ASSISTANT
Standard on every Kenworth with a PACCAR MX-13 engine, the Driver Performance Assistant module monitors and scores driving technique in real-time — encouraging behavior that supports better fuel economy and longer brake life. The system coaches improvements by showing drivers how to best optimize the truck’s performance — by coasting longer, utilizing the engine brake, anticipating the road ahead and braking with less force.
