Truck ADAS is proving its worth, but adoption must rise
Some fleets are opting to avoid new active safety packages, but next-generation systems could convince more to invest. By Freddie Holmes
Heavy-duty tractor trailers are far larger and heavier than passenger cars, making them harder to stop and in theory, at greater risk of being involved in a road collision. As such, the truck sector has been pushing for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to become standard for new models.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is advocating for the adoption of technologies that can prevent or mitigate issues such as speeding, driving while under the influence and distracted driving. In April 2021, it released its ‘most wanted’ list for the 2021-2022 period, outlining a range of safety improvements that should be made. In particular, collision warning systems, automatic emergency braking (AEB) and speed limiters should not be optional extras, but standard.
Many truckmakers are already offering ADAS, says Howard Abbey, Autonomous Car Specialist at SBD Automotive. The challenge is ensuring those systems are used by drivers, not to mention