Potential effects of driver assistance systems

This is proven by a scientific survey run by the Allianz Centre for Technology and the MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group, which indicates the strong potential effects of distance and lane departure systems in trucks.

The  distance-controlled cruise control systems  (ACC = Adaptive Cruise Control) available today could enable a reduction in the number of severe rear-end collisions by 28 % if the German truck fleet is fully equipped. With regard to truck rear-end collisions on motorways, for which the ACC system available today is primarily configured, more than 70 % of these collisions can be avoided.

Involuntary departures from the traffic lane that cause accidents, e.g. due to inattention or fatigue on the part of the driver, can be reduced using the corresponding electronic warning systems. If all trucks were to warn their drivers with the help of a so-called  Lane Guard System (LGS) in such situations and the drivers were then to intervene by countersteering, 49 % of these accidents could be prevented.

Sophisticated reconstructions of truck accidents from the years 2002 to 2004

The survey was commissioned by the MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group, the first vehicle manufacturer to arrange for the efficiency of modern driver assistance systems to be examined scientifically.

The results of the survey are based on an analysis of almost 600 truck accidents from the years 2002 to 2004, evaluated with regard to relevance of the driver assistance systems ACC and LGS and in some cases elaborately reconstructed.

The results of the survey indicate that the driver assistance systems available today can lead to a sustained reduction in the number of accidents in Europe. In doing so, they help get closer to the target of the European Commission, namely to reduce the number of traffic fatalities by half by the year 2010.

The Active Cruise Control (ACC) and the Lane Guard System (LGS) will be offered in the heavy truck model series from MAN as well as successively in the coaches of the MAN and NEOPLAN brands - and the demand for them is growing.