Freightliner Trucks, part of Daimler Trucks North America, said it will offer Meritor WABCO’s new automatic forward-collision warning and braking system on its models Cascadia and Century Class S/T tractors.
Meritor WABCO’s OnGuard Collision Safety System uses forward-looking, mono-pulse radar sensors capable of detecting multiple moving objects at distances up to 500 feet away, Freightliner said in a statement.
If the predetermined “safe” distance between the front of the truck and a vehicle ahead is breeched, OnGuard will provide visual and audible warnings to the driver. It also can transmit signals for automatic vehicle deceleration through engine control, retarder control and foundation brake deceleration that can be one-third or greater of full brake application, the statement said.
“In cruise control mode, the automatic application of the foundation brakes when a threat is detected by OnGuard is what excited us about this technology,” said Ben Smith, on-highway product strategy manager for Freightliner.
Meritor WABCO is a joint venture of ArvinMeritor Inc. and WABCO Automotive Control Systems.
In a separate statement, Freightliner parent Daimler AG, Stuttgart, Germany, said it will spend $894 million to ramp up production of Mercedes-Benz-branded trucks, buses and components at its Brazilian factory.
Daimler said the investment in the Sao Bernardo do Campo plant — to be made between 2009 and 2011 — would result in a 25% increase in daily capacity, as well as a modernization of production and an improvement in logistics systems.
