Vehicle Safety Trends In 2022

It’s fair to say that vehicle safety technology has come on leaps and bounds in the past decade, with the introduction of camera systems, dedicated cyclist and pedestrian alarms, along with developments in the software platforms they’re built on. But what does innovation in vehicle safety look like in 2022, and how are wider technology trends impacting both driver and third party safety? 

‍

Well, today, we’re going to run through some of the tech you’re likely to find in the market this year and in the future. Some of it is even products that are available through our online catalogue. Better yet, come see them in the flesh at RWM & Letsrecycle 2022 at the NEC on 14-15th September – free tickets here.

‍

Protection From The Elements

Storms and strong winds have always been a serious threat to larger vehicles, and because of the threat to the health and safety of drivers and other road users, in periods of poor weather entire routes have to be adjusted or even cancelled to keep people safe.

‍

Thankfully, there are new ways to help deal with dangerous crosswinds such as Crosswind Assist which can be fitted to Mercedes Benz vans during manufacture. Crosswind Assist detects track offset brought on by heavy crosswinds and aids the driver with maintaining lane compliance. It can do this through asymmetric braking or even by counteracting the wind with automated power steering input.

‍

‍

Integrated Telematics and Video

For fleet operators and transport managers everywhere, accurate telematics, as well as vehicle CCTV systems, have helped them improve driver safety, reduce dangerous events, and more effectively track and plan vehicle routes – saving money and improving customer delivery.

‍

The thing that has been missing from these systems however is centralisation. Now though, there is a solution on the market which brings all of your telematics and camera system management needs into a single portal. It’s called Sentinel Fleet View, and if you want to know more about how it works, you need to get in touch, as we’ll be releasing it very soon. Remember we’ll be at RWM & Letsrecycle 14-15th September, and you can get free tickets here.

‍

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t a Sci-Fi fantasy, it’s a real technology that is developing in more and more industries – including vehicle safety. AI isn’t intelligent in the way that people are, but it can process information within a particular frame far quicker than a person ever could.

‍

Today, we see AI cropping up in a variety of different camera systems, particularly incab cameras, where ensuring that vehicle operators are as safe as possible is the top priority. There are cameras now that will track driver behaviour to see if they’re distracted by their phone, or worse have started to fall asleep. When these camera systems notice dangerous behaviour they can use in-cab alerters to bring the driver’s attention back to the road.

‍

Trailer Sway Control

One of the scariest situations for a driver to find themselves in is with a swaying or snaking trailer. Sway can happen for a number of reasons, but most commonly occurs with sudden changes in direction, with many drivers failing to get it under control and even exacerbating the situation with additional steering inputs.

‍

Ford has their own Trailer Sway Control system that detects the sway of your trailer and warns you if swaying begins. If the sway continues, and gets worse, then the vehicle automatically reduces torque output from the engine and uses individual wheel braking to get the swaying trailer under control.

‍

Change Waits For No One

We’ve barely scratched the surface of the innovation that is happening right now in vehicle safety. What we do know though, is that fleet operators everywhere are under increasing pressure to keep people safe, and rightly so.

‍

That’s why Sentinel Systems pioneers new technologies that can benefit any commercial vehicle, and we’re always keeping an eye on emerging equipment that can help save lives and protect businesses.

‍

Want a safer operation using the best technology on the market?

‍

Contact Sentinel Systems today.

‍