SAFETY SHOWCASE

Since 1980, the European Centre for Studying Safety and Analysing Risks (CEESAR) at Amiens, France has been investigating road accidents in which lorries are involved. The data that it has collected cover 670 parameters, including vehicle, occupant, and environmental factors. As a result of this research, Renault has developed its high-security vehicle (VHS), based on a Magnum, which contains the latest high-technology products from about 20 specialist suppliers. Many of these products are in production or close to it, but a few are rather less well developed. This article briefly describes the main features of the VHS: (1) spray suppression, high grip, and pressure monitoring in tyres; (2) full reflective perimeter marking of the sides and rear of the trailer, using light emitting diodes (LEDs) wherever possible, to make the lorries more conspicuous; (3) fifth-wheel coupling alarm and Suzie connecting for trailer coupling; (4) use of electronics to ensure dynamic vehicle stability and control air suspension to the trailer; (5) better rear-view and forward visibility, together with adaptive cruise control; (6) several improvements to driver safety, comfort, and ergonomics; (7) better under-run protection at front, back, and sides; and (8) electronic braking system and carbon disc retarders.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00103063
• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

  Quadrant House, The Quadrant
  Brighton Road
  Sutton, Surrey  United Kingdom  SM2 5AS
• Authors:
  • BARNETT, C
• Publication Date: 1999-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 36-7
• Serial:
  • COMMERCIAL MOTOR
  • Volume: 190
  • Issue Number: 4855
  • Publisher: Reed Business Information, Limited
  • ISSN: 0010-3063

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Crash rates; Electronics; Ergonomics; Hazards; Light emitting diodes; Mathematical analysis; Organizations; Reflectivity; Research projects; Safety; Statistics; Tires; Trucks; Vehicles; Visibility
• ITRD Terms: 1612: Accident rate; 6471: Analysis (math); 1874: Braking; 6965: Electronics; 2029: Ergonomics; 6978: Light emitting diode; 1236: Lorry; 9057: Organization (association); 5926: Reflectivity; 8557: Research project; 9150: Risk; 1665: Safety; 6555: Statistics; 1381: Tyre; 1255: Vehicle; 6783: Visibility
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Motor Carriers; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00790265
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 11 2000 12:00AM