Volvo Trucks develops “Active Safety Products”and advocates personalized & safe driving

www.chinatrucks.com: March 14, 2012, Beijing, China. This year, increased attention has been focused on the issues of school bus safety and food safety; thus, “safety” has once again become a focus of interest. Since the invention of the “three-point” safety belt in the 1950s, Volvo has been a leader in the industry’s safety development. This year, Volvo Trucks in China will increase the “active safety” of its products and services, including providing intelligent electronic kits and trainings in active safety driving. This is a way of protecting the personal safety of truck drivers and providing users with safer transport solutions.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Volvo Trucks safety technology is now paying more attention to preventative measures, and “active safety” type products have became Volvo Trucks’ main agenda.“Active safety” was for many years synonymous with braking efficiency. Focus on steering and behaviors on the road were added. At the end of the 1990s, a system with the aim to assist the driver was introduced.  Lately there has been more focus on detecting and acting on hazards that the driver might miss. The intelligent technology promotion helps drivers understand road and vehicle conditions in real time, so that drivers can concentrate on driving in a more humane manner.

"'Safety’ has been one of Volvo Trucks’ core values since the company was founded. From the invention of the three-point safety belts to the first external safety accident investigation report, ongoing anti-collision tests, to the development of intelligent electronic safety kits, Volvo Trucks has been a leader in the enhancement of safety performance of trucks,” said Mr. Eric Labat, President of Volvo Trucks in Greater China. “China has a vast territory, and its geographical situation differs across regions. This means that the requirements for and optional packages of trucks are different. What we strive for is to provide customers with the safest possible truck, as well as to ensure the safety of people and cargo in transportation, which is a necessity for premise of protecting the commercial interests of our users.”

Enhanced stability system

Mr. Lennar Svension, former head of the Volvo Trucks Accident Research Team, said,” It is a waste to construct a technically perfect vehicle if it is not adapted to humans and to the traffic environment. If you increase your speed from 80 to 90 km/hour and drive a distance of 100 kilometers, you will save less than eight minutes; at the same time, however, you will increase your truck’s stopping distance by over 20% in normal road conditions. Efficient transport can only take place under safe conditions. With the help of ACC (adaptive cruise control), the distance between individual vehicles can be monitored in real-time, and if that distance becomes too close, brakes will automatically kick in, with both the auxiliary brakes and wheel brakes being applied. The Volvo Trucks braking system is comprised of auxiliary brakes VEB and EBS (electric disc brakes system). The Volvo Truck FH 16 660, for example, the braking can reach up to 1176 hp by VEB and a compact retarder. On December 31, 2011, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security jointly issued a statement “Regarding the further improvement of large and medium-sized commercial vehicles to enhance vehicle safety technology and registration management,” which stated that heavy-duty dangerous good transportation vehicles that are over 12 tons should be equipped with a retarder or other auxiliary braking devices. 

Alcolock

Volvo Trucks offers a range of intelligent electronic kits, such as the Electric Stability Program (ESP), developed in the early 21st century, which can monitor whether the truck is about to skid or risks rolling over a curve. Once the truck encounters a similar situation, ESP steps in and brakes each wheel individually to stabilise the entire rig.   The Alcolock, invented in in 2002, puts an end to driving under the influence. In 2003, the stability of the VEST was established, as well as the LCS (land change system), LKS (lane keeping system), DAS (driver alert support), and others. These help ensure a safe transportation vehicle for truck users.

Recognized in the 2011 Volvo Trucks One Million without Overhaul customer award, the FH12 has achieved a record of up to 2.1 kilometers without overhaul. Mr. Fang Zhengui, Managing Director and General Manager of  Anhui Nan Bei Logistics Co., Ltd, said, “The Volvo Trucks help us maintain stable and efficient transport, and  enhances our confidence in delivering goods within 18 hours we commit to our customers. Our customers have stated that they are very satisfied with the services provided as well as the speed at which they are provided.”  Mr. Shen, a driver of the FH12, believes that the reliable and comfortable trucks allow him to focus on his driving; he also undertakes regular vehicle inspections and maintenances. Volvo Trucks’ ergonomically-designed Globetrotter cab not only provides the driver with a more comfortable environment, but also provides a safer internal space with injury-preventive interior trim and enough survival space after an accident.

As part of Volvo Trucks’ “Total Transport Solutions”, the company provides fleet management and driver trainings in improving active safety driving skills and in operating electronic intelligence kits in order to prevent improper driving that causes traffic hazards. Volvo Trucks is keen to remind truck drivers that they should wear a seat belt, regardless of how long the upcoming route is.

Data from the Scientific Prediction Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences  shows that, during the 12th Five-year Plan, there will be a double-digit increase in the Chinese logistics industry and strong growth in areas of e-commerce, energy, and other industries that are in great demands of road transportation. Volvo Trucks hopes to continue to further enhance the active safety of driving.

 

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