Collision Mitigation Systems

Many commercial trucks are beginning to use collision mitigation systems to help avoid front end collisions while driving. These systems use forward looking radar to detect distance and speed of vehicles that are in the front of the truck. These systems are also equipped with collision warning and adapt to cruise control and braking systems.

When the collision mitigation system is installed in a commercial truck, it will interface with the cruise control, in an effort to stop acceleration, as well as, the braking system when a front end collision hazard has been detected. The radar sensor is mounted on the front bumper of the vehicle. It has the ability to transmit and receive high frequency radio signals to determine the distance of the vehicle or object that is in front of the truck.

The collision detection unit in the collision mitigation system will alert the driver with an audible and visual warning. The radar on these systems can be adjusted to the needs of the driver and many of these systems can look forward as far as 500 feet.

When the system is detects that an unsafe distance, according to the predetermined settings, it will alert the driver in an attempt to have the vehicle manually slowed to create safe following distance. When an imminent collision is detected the system has the capability to shut down the cruise control as well as apply the brakes to attempt to avoid collision. These types of technological advances are expected to increase in the future of the trucking industries.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_R_Woodward