With its final certification by TUV Nord Germany, Wabco Holdings’ roll stability support for trailers has now gained approval for use in all 27 countries in the European Union (EU), and in 20 other countries worldwide in accordance with the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Europe’s Regulation 13 for braking.
The certification paves the way for approval by the German Federal Authority for Road Transport, the company said.
The EU has instituted new regulations that require vehicle stability functions with roll-over control for semi-trailers and heavy trailers, both with air suspensions and up to three axles, for new type approvals from July 2010 and for new registrations from July 2011. Wabco has been offering a stability system since 2001.
“We are proud to contribute to the aim of the United Nations and European Union to improve road safety as we build on our track record of technology leadership in trailer electronic braking systems and air management for trailer safety controls and systems,” said Nick Rens, Wabco vp-aftermarket and trailer systems.“As the industry’s first supplier to comply with the EU’s new requirements for trailer stability and roll-over control, Wabco continues to help customers optimize the value of their trailer electronic braking systems.”
The system is integrated with Wabco’s Trailer EBS (electronic braking system) system to help prevent roll-over. It analyzes vehicle data such as wheel speed, load and lateral acceleration. If it detects conditions where a roll-over may occur, it will apply the brakes to reduce vehicle speed until such time that the vehicle has been re-stabilized.
The company has also introduced the Trailer Immobilizer, designed to prevent theft. The system is part of the EBS system and blocks the wheels of a parked trailer to prevent theft. To activate, the driver enters a PIN via a SmartBoard control box that displays the trailer’s real-time operating information.
“As the number of trailer thefts nearly doubles year on year, fleet owners and operators face sharply rising costs and major business disruption due to stolen vehicles, theft of valuable cargo, and damage and accidents due to manipulation by unauthorized persons,” said Rens,. “[The] Trailer Immobilizer technology demonstrates our passion to help transport professionals continuously improve their vehicles’ security and safety while further protecting their profitability.”
