Analysis of road safety implementation strategies to support the easiest introduction of autonomous braking products for complex vehicle combinations

Abstract

In contrast to passenger cars, whose regulation allowed only a simple trailer combination, the autonomous technologies implementation of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) for commercial vehicles demands more application and calibration efforts. At this case, the focus is on dynamic control of towing vehicles when applying the service brakes of trailer, in special when complex combination as bi-train and road-train, allowed in North and South America. However, the major risk is present occurrence when an ESC or AEBS equipped towing vehicles is connected to a double or triple trailer combination with a conventional braking system, it means: a system that is not equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). For instance, if during autonomous control, trailers wheels lock, a jackknifing phenomenon can easily occur. Therefore, in case longer and heavier vehicles (LHV) or megatrucks as called in Europe, the strategy for safety assistance systems application should consider trailer configuration maturity level of public reading fleet. In this context, the article aims to propose strategies of implementation and product development that can support the easiest introduction of road safety technologies based on autonomous braking products, in special when it is applied in markets where towed vehicles fleet are greater participation of vehicles equipped with conventional braking system, as occur in Brazil. In order to deliver this, a bibliographic research was carried out looking the available regulation and polities from markets where ESC and AEBS were already implemented, like EU and US. In addition, it was studied an Argentine government program that introduce at same time: road safety technologies, technological fleet renewal policies, periodic vehicle inspection, however offsetting the increased costs with logistical benefits for transport business.