Technology and Automobile Safety

New Technologies

Each day it seems new technologies are developed to make our lives not only more comfortable but safer as well. Newly developed technologies or technologies currently being developed will, hopefully, help to make our motor vehicles more user friendly as well as better able to protect us from collisions, injuries or worse.

A few of the systems that show promise are listed below:

Antilock brakes - Antilock brakes are designed to help drivers avoid crashes. When a driver hits regular brakes hard, the wheels may lock and the vehicle may skid. Wheel lockup can result in longer stopping distances, loss of steering control and, when road friction is uneven, loss of stability if the vehicle begins to spin. The main advantage of antilocks is that they can reduce these problems on wet and slippery roads. Antilocks shouldn't make much difference in stopping distances on dry roads, although they can enhance vehicle stability and allow drivers to maintain steering control during emergency stops when conventional brakes might allow wheel lockup and skidding. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute Last modified:09-Jan-2002)

Artificial Passenger (AP) System - This innovative system is designed by IBM to act as:

...a device designed to substitute for a yakking spouse or a talkative friend in the passenger seat. IBM hopes to see its invention in most cars as soon as three years from now. It will converse with the driver--about family matters, the weather, or the outcome of the latest Mets game. If you don't answer quickly enough, AP might turn on the radio. If that fails, the device will start telling jokes from your favorite Web site.

If there is still no response from the driver, AP can open the car windows. Or it could ask for permission to call a nearby hotel and reserve a room. (Business Week Online/August 17, 2001: IBM to Drivers: Wake Up!)

Collision Avoidance Systems - A side collision avoidance system is being tested in Allegheny County, PA. and a frontal collision warning system is being tested in San Carlos, CA. Both hold promise in helping bus drivers (and hopefully eventually automobile drivers) avoid side and frontal collisions. Both systems have sensors mounted to the test vehicles to detect objects within a certain range and provide feedback to the drivers. (Mass Transit Magazine/Major field test of collision avoidance systems underway in Pittsburgh/July, 2001, Bill Siuru)

Collision Warning System - This system is currently being developed by the Delphi Automotive Systems. Phase one was the development of the system that began during 1999. In phase two, vehicles well be fitted with a collision warning system. The system will record traffic and vehicle data and monitor driver reaction to determine the system's effectiveness. (ITS News/Delphi Nears Completion of Phase One Collision Warning Tests: September 6, 2001)

Early Recognition of Impending Accident System - The idea behind this future Mercedes-Benz system is to use the time after a driver recognizes that there will be a collision and the actual impact. The system will work as follows:

...the new occupant protection systems would go into action when the sensors in the car detect that the vehicle is on a collision course with another vehicle. Even before the driver has time to react and apply the brakes, the seatbelts will tension and restrain the driver's and passengers' torsos, preventing their bodies from moving forward during the braking maneuver and ensuring a safe seating position. At the same time, the seat cushions of the front passenger and rear seats will automatically tilt to the rear, while the door panels will move into the car's interior and mold themselves around the occupants' hips like protective shields. (ITS/Mercedes-Benz To Unveil Safety Concept At International Auto Show/August 14, 2001)

Electronic stability control - This system helps keep the vehicle on its intended path during a turn, to avoid sliding or skidding. It's especially helpful in slippery conditions and accident-avoidance situations. On a sport-utility vehicle, pickup, or other tall vehicle, it can also help prevent getting into a situation that could lead to a rollover. When available, stability control is highly recommended by Consumer Reports' auto experts. The system, however, has its limits; nothing can overcome the laws of physics. Automakers refer to their stability-control systems by different trademarked names and acronyms, which can be confusing. If in doubt, ask. (Consumer Reports/Safety features to look for: Advanced Safety Features are now more Reliable and Affordable, 2002 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc)

Rear View Mirror Dimmer - The concept behind this is for rear view mirrors to automatically darken as a vehicle with bright lights approaches from the rear. The brighter the glare the darker the mirrors would get thus protecting the driver from glare. (ITS/Gentex Ships Telematics Mirror for Lincoln Town Car/October 8, 2001)

Rollover Protection System - According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 60% of heavy truck fatalities occur when the trucks are involved in rollovers. To combat this, a rollover protection system was developed by IMMI, a manufacturer of commercial vehicle restraints. The system has three integrated components:

Rollover Sensor: A microprocessor-controlled, solid-state sensing device that utilizes complex proprietary algorithms along with vehicle specific calibrations to detect rollovers. Taking into account several critical dynamic factors specific to heavy truck, the sensing for IMMI's advanced occupant protection system to be deployed.

Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS): During rollover, an inflatable tubular structure, hidden in the window trim above the door, deploys across the window and side vehicle interior to protect the driver's head during impact.

S4 Seat Pull-Down System: During a rollover the S$ system tightens the seat belt and pulls the air suspension seat down to the floor, positioning the occupant in a zone providing a more survivable space while minimizing head contact with the roof interior. (ITS/IMMI Offers Advanced Rollover Protection System/April, 16, 2001)

Side/Head Air Bags - According to a 2001 report by the IIHS, almost 10,000 deaths occur each year because of side impact crashes. Over 50% of those deaths are the result of head injuries. One possible answer to at lowering the number of deaths from side impact crashes is the use of side air bags. Test of the effectiveness of side air bags so far have been very promising. According the IIHS's president, Brian O'Neill "These tests demonstrate that head airbags can make very serious vehicle-to-vehicle side impacts survivable by preventing the intruding vehicle structure from striking occupants' heads. Without head airbags, serious or fatal injuries become more likely." (IIHS/Special issue:Head protection in side impacts/Status Report, Vol. 36,No. 1, January 6, 2001)

Traction control - This system limits wheel spin during acceleration so that the drive wheels have maximum traction. If a wheel begins to spin, the system selectively applies the brakes, reduces engine output, or both until traction is regained. Traction control is particularly useful when starting from a standstill in wet or icy conditions, and can be helpful as a less expensive (though less effective) alternative to all- or four-wheel drive. Some traction-control systems only operate at low speeds, while others work at all speeds. (Consumer Reports/Safety features to look for: Advanced Safety Features are now more Reliable and Affordable, 2002 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc)

For additional information see the following:

http://www.itsa.org/ivi.html

http://www.drivers.com/Top_Technology_Intelligent_Transportation_Systems.html

http://www.masstransitmag.com/articles/2001/mt_07-01/mt_07-01_06.htm

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/vrtc/ca/its.htm

http://www.eetimes.com/sys/news/OEG20010920S0066

http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/sfsc.htm

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