Daimler Bus has announced the next generation of safety features for its Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands including the world’s first automatic braking assistance in a bus to automatically brake for pedestrians.
The new Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA 4) package warns drivers visually and audibly of pedestrians as well as initiating partial braking and reducing the risk of a collision significantly.
According to Daimler Buses’ head of development Gustav Tuschen, the new technology is in line with the brand’s tradition of being the pioneers of safety systems.
“Active Brake Assist 4 with pedestrian recognition marks a milestone in the development of assistance systems for coaches,” Tuschen said.
ABA 4 uses new generation radars as used in the Mercedes-Benz trucks and passenger vehicles, comprised of both long and short range radars.
The long range radar registers multi-track vehicles and stationary obstacles at a maximum distance of up to 250 m in a direct line in front of the coach single-track vehicles such as bicycles up to 160 m and pedestrians up to 80 m.
The short range radar has a maximum range of 70 m and is even able to recognise pedestrians and vehicles to the sides ahead of the coach.
Daimler will begin rolling ABA 4 out from March next year in Europe with the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz Tourismo and Setra ComfortClass and TopClass500 models. It will be a free inclusion for customers opting for adaptive cruise control.
