New technology is capable of recognising pedestrians and vehicles to the sides and ahead of the coach at a distance of up to 70-metres
Daimler Buses and its product brands Mercedes-Benz and Setra have launched Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA 4) with pedestrian recognition. The company claims it is the world’s first emergency braking assistance system in a coach to automatically brake for pedestrians.
Gustav Tuschen, Head of Development at Daimler Buses, said: “ABA 4 with pedestrian recognition marks a milestone in the development of assistance systems for coaches.”
The new ABA 4 with pedestrian recognition reflects this, warning the driver visually and audibly of any potential collision with pedestrians and automatically triggering partial braking.
This gives the driver every opportunity to prevent a collision with a pedestrian: the driver can warn the pedestrian using the horn, initiate maximum full-stop braking or steer to avoid the collision.
ABA 4 is based on new-generation radar technology which also features in the latest Mercedes-Benz cars and trucks. The electronically scanning multi-mode radar comprises long and short range radar systems.
The long range radar registers multi-track vehicles and stationary obstacles at a maximum distance of up to 250m in a direct line in front of the coach, single-track vehicles such as bicycles at up to 160m and pedestrians at up to 80m. The short range radar has a maximum range of 70m and is even able to recognize pedestrians and vehicles to the sides ahead of the coach.
The new ABA 4 builds on the ABA 3 system, which already carries out maximum full-stop braking for vehicles ahead and for stationary obstacles.
Since November 2015, emergency braking systems have been mandatory for newly registered heavy duty coaches and trucks, though Daimler claims even the standard AEBS version it offers can do more than the legislators require.
ABA 4 is due to become available in the spring of 2018 for the recently presented Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. The Setra touring coaches, including the ComfortClass 500 and the TopClass 500, will also have ABA 4 on board.
