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Volvo Presents Low Speed Collision Avoidance System
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Volvo has announced more innovative safety technology – a unique ‘City Safety’ system that could help
drivers avoid 50 per cent of all rear-end, low speed accidents that often happen in urban environments or
slow moving traffic. Statistics reveal that 75 per cent of all reported collisions occur at low speeds of up to 30 km/h. The
Volvo system, called ‘City Safety’, is active up to 30 km/h and keeps a watchful eye on traffic up to six
metres in front of the car with the help of an optical radar system integrated into the upper part of the
windscreen. If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically pre-charge
the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down in time, or steering away from a potential
collision. However, if a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car’s brakes
automatically. “The system offers benefits to all involved. For the occupants of the car in front, the risk of
whiplash injuries is avoided or reduced, plus it can help reduce or even eliminate the cost of repairs to
both vehicles,” says Ingrid Skogsmo, director of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. The system runs a calculation 50 times per second to determine what braking speed is needed to avoid a
collision based on the distance to the object in front and the car’s own speed. If the calculated braking
force exceeds a given level without the driver responding, the danger of a collision is considered
imminent and ‘City Safety’ helps avoid or reduce the consequences of a collision by automatically
activating the car’s brakes and reducing the throttle. Certain limitations The ‘City Safety’ system works equally well day or night, but will have the same limitations as any
other radar systems, so can be limited by fog, mist, snow or heavy rain. If the sensor on the windscreen
is obscured by dirt or snow the driver is alerted via the car’s information display. “It is important to emphasise that the system does not absolve the driver from driving with adequate
safety margins in order to avoid collisions. The automatic braking function is only activated when the
system assesses that a collision is imminent. The system then steps in to limit the consequences of the
imminent collision or, in some cases, totally avoid it,” explains Ingrid Skogsmo.
Preventive safety The ‘City Safety’ system should be available within two years. However, Volvo recently introduced
Collision Warning and Brake Support active safety systems with the all-new Volvo S80, which also help to
avoid and reduce damage and injuries from collisions. These systems alert the driver via audible and
visual signals if the gap to the car in front is reducing so quickly that an impact is likely. It
automatically pre-charges the braking system so that braking is as effective as possible in an emergency
situation but doesn't offer full auto-braking. | |||||
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