Volvo Buses introduces automatic brake technology

Volvo Buses' new emergency braking system automatically applies full brakes if it senses a collision is imminent.

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Volvo Buses reinforces its safety position by introducing a forward collision warning and emergency braking system. The technology automatically applies full brakes to the bus if a collision with a vehicle in front is imminent and the driver doesn’t react to the initial warning. The solution becomes available on Volvo coaches in 2015.

“Volvo’s Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking functionality is an excellent example of our proactive approach to road safety. It is able to perform full braking from normal speed towards standstill objects three years before the legal requirement comes in 2018. The system also handles braking in curves,” says Peter Danielsson, Safety Manager, Volvo Buses.

The technology uses both radar and a camera to detect vehicles in front of the coach. If a collision is imminent, the driver gets both a visual and an audible warning. If the driver doesn’t react to the warning, a pre-brake is activated automatically followed by full braking power.

The Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking functionality is part of the Volvo Driver Support System. It also includes an Adaptive Cruise Control that automatically keeps a set distance to the vehicle in front and a Lane Keeping Support System, which warns the driver if the coach is about to cross a lane marking unintentionally.

Helps avoid accidents

“Available for coaches, the package is designed to help the driver avoid critical situations and accidents. Even in cases when the auto brake technology is unable to avoid a collision, the lowered impact speed helps to mitigate the consequences for the driver and the passengers,” explains Danielsson.

More and more Volvo coaches are specified with three-point safety belts. Volvo invented this groundbreaking safety feature in 1959 – and it has saved more lives in traffic than any other solution.

“We are very happy to see that the share of Volvo coaches with three-point belts is rapidly approaching 50% in Europe. Continuing to bring this figure up is an important part of the Volvo Group’s safety vision about zero accidents with our products,” concludes Danielsson.

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