The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Con-way Freight have begun field testing of an integrated crash warning system installed on Con-way’s trucks.

Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT), UMTRI and Con-way are participating in the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) program.

According to DOT, the IVBSS technology integrates multiple crash warning features--such as forward collision, lane departure and lane change-merge warning systems—to give drivers more awareness of their vehicle’s surroundings.

Con-way Freight has purchased 10 Class 8 tractors equipped with the IVBSS technology, and 20 company drivers will operate the vehicles out of the carrier’s Detroit service center as part of its normal business operations. The trucks will log an estimated 700,000 miles. The field testing is the second phase of the four-year IVBSS program.

"We're excited to launch the field operational test,” said Jim Sayer, program director and UMTRI researcher. “After more than two years of research, development and verification testing of the integrated system, it's gratifying to see the system functioning as part of Con-way Freight's fleet. We are optimistic that the testing will demonstrate the safety benefits of integrating multiple crash warning systems.”