Road safety is a major concern for drivers, especially for those who operate heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks. According to the European Commission, trucks account for about 6% of the total road traffic but are involved in 15% of fatal accidents. One of the main causes of these accidents is the failure to brake in time or with sufficient force to avoid a collision.
To address this issue, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has developed an Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) system, which can automatically apply full braking power in an emergency situation, even if the driver does not react. The system uses a combination of radar and camera sensors to detect moving and stationary objects in front of the truck, such as vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or animals. It then warns the driver with visual and acoustic signals and initiates controlled emergency braking if necessary.
The ABA 5 system is designed to work in various scenarios, such as on highways, in urban areas, or at intersections. It can also adapt to different weather and lighting conditions, such as rain, fog, or darkness. The system can reduce the truck's speed by up to 50 km/h (31 mph) in an emergency, which can significantly reduce the impact force or even prevent a collision altogether.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks claims that the ABA 5 system is the most advanced of its kind in the market and that it can prevent up to 60% of rear-end collisions and up to 40% of accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists. The system is also compliant with the latest European Union regulations, which require all new trucks to be equipped with advanced emergency braking systems.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of the ABA 5 system, Mercedes-Benz Trucks invited journalists and experts to a driving safety training at the Nürburgring, a famous racing circuit in Germany. There, they had the opportunity to test the system in various scenarios and compare it with other systems from competitors. The participants were impressed by the performance and reliability of the ABA 5 system and praised its contribution to road safety.
The ABA 5 system is part of a larger portfolio of safety features that Mercedes-Benz Trucks offers for its vehicles, such as Sideguard Assist, which can detect objects in the blind spot of the truck and warn the driver; MirrorCam, which replaces conventional mirrors with digital cameras and displays; Predictive Powertrain Control, which can optimize fuel consumption and driving comfort by adjusting to the road profile; and Multimedia Cockpit, which provides a user-friendly interface for accessing various functions and information.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks is committed to improving road safety and reducing emissions with its innovative technologies and solutions. The company aims to achieve Vision Zero, which means zero accidents, zero injuries, and zero fatalities on the road. With its ABA 5 system and other safety features, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is making a significant step towards this goal.
