Volvo Trucks is continuously developing its active safety systems to protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. The latest example is Volvo’s Active Side Collision Avoidance Support. This is an evolution of an existing safety system, with the active brake function being added. Using radar sensors to detect approaching cyclists, the system can warn the driver and if necessary, it can now actively brake the truck to avoid a collision with cyclists when turning the truck toward the passenger side.
“Trucks are involved in 15% of fatal road accidents, and city traffic can be challenging even for the most experienced truck driver,” said Anna Wrige Berling, traffic & product safety director at Volvo Trucks. “At Volvo Trucks, we are constantly working to improve our trucks’ safety performance to protect both the driver and other road users. This safety system, aimed at protecting cyclists in the city environment, represents one of our latest innovations which will take us one step closer to our long-term vision of zero accidents involving Volvo trucks.”
The Active Side Collision Avoidance Support system will be available for customers to order from November 2024 in the Volvo FH range, FM, and FMX models in all markets globally.
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The second system is Volvo Trucks’ next-generation Collision Warning with Emergency Brake. The system was first introduced in 2012 and has since been improved. By using both camera and radar sensors, the system monitors the traffic ahead of the truck. If a collision risk is detected, the system is designed to warn the driver and if necessary, automatically brake to avoid or mitigate the collision.
With the latest improvements, this system can detect, warn, and brake not only for other vehicles but also for pedestrians and cyclists. It has been certified to meet the new, tougher European legislation for advanced emergency brake systems that comes into force in 2028. According to Volvo, its system even exceeds the coming regulation in terms of the traffic situations it is designed to cover.
“We are happy to see that legal requirements are implemented in line with our own vision of zero accidents,” Anna Wrige Berling said. “However, at Volvo, we will not wait for legislation. We will continue to innovate and exceed legal requirements with new functions to support our own ambitious targets.”
This auto-brake system is standard equipment in Europe on all FH series, FM, and FMX trucks from 2025 and available as an option globally.
