The MAN Turn-off Assistant

Externally a truck fitted with a Turn-off Assistant / Proximity Alert System can be recognised by several small ultrasonic sensors distributed over the front and nearside area of the vehicle. With these sensors the area around the cab – within a radius of about two metres – is measured when the truck stops, for example at a road junction or traffic lights, and the distance up to any objects in this area is determined. These data are saved in a computer.

If a pedestrian or cyclist, for example, approaches the truck while it is stationary, the sensors calculate a new shorter distance. If the cyclist or pedestrian comes within a set distance the truck driver is warned by a visual signal. In this way the Turn-off Assistant draws the driver's attention to a change in the situation in the danger area before he actually moves off again. If the driver wants to move off although an object or person is still in the danger area near his truck, he is given a second warning of the risk of collision, this time an acoustic one.