Vision Techniques puts the brakes on runaways
Safety technology provider Vision Techniques has outlined the workings of its VT BrakeSafe device, an automatic braking system that instantly applies the vehicle park brake if it is not applied by the driver when exiting the cab.
The company cites research published by the Health & Safety Executive, in which 48 per cent of drivers surveyed indicated that they had personally experienced a vehicle runaway.
Failure to apply the handbrake and/or trailer parking brake was identified as the primary reason contributing to runaway incidents involving HGVs, with technical failures, bad practices and organisational factors such as time pressures also being cited amongst a list of additional contributing influences.
“The research acknowledges that in-cab alarms and additional control measures such as automatic braking systems are effective means of preventing these potentially devastating incidents,” said Vision Techniques.
“Working closely with local authorities and private sector vehicle operators, Vision Techniques listened to drivers and observed their behaviour to understand how and where instances of runaways could occur. Instances of tiredness or time pressure were identified as potential situations where the handbrake could be left off in error. “
Unlike other systems which provide an audible warning to the driver that the park brake has not been applied, VT BrakeSafe actually applies the handbrake, says Vision Techniques, removing the need for further human intervention and the risk of human error.
“It is completely autonomous,” said the company.
“The driver doesn’t have to press anything, look at or interact with the safety system at all when operating the vehicle. However, if the driver were to forget to apply the park brake and exit the vehicle, the system will automatically take control. An audible alert will sound to the driver and the brake will be applied, even if the ignition is off.
“VT BrakeSafe works by receiving data from a variety of inputs, to ensure the parking brake is engaged when it should be and is not activated inappropriately. Multiple sensors have to be activated in order for a scenario to be identified as a potential runaway and the automatic braking to be triggered.
“Should activation of the VT BrakeSafe system occur, it can be reset by the driver. Any activation can be recorded and reviewed when used in conjunction with one of our DVR camera recording systems.”
One business using the VT BrakeSafe technology alongside its DVR system is Flogas. The integration of the two systems allows the company to review footage of any potential runaway and assist them with retraining drivers and investigating incidents more thoroughly.
Flogas commented: “To be able to capture footage of what was occurring at the time of a rollaway was vital for us. It will give us unambiguous and impartial evidence of what was going on in the seconds leading up to an incident, which is invaluable in helping us ensure that similar events do not happen again.”
Flogas trialled VT BrakeSafe prior to implementation across its fleet, to ensure it worked effectively with the other safety devices fitted to their vehicles. The company was reassured that the system met all the criteria required for operating in their environments.
