MAN Truck & Bus
10 Dec 2024
Safety plays a key role at MAN Truck & Bus: MAN’s developers focus on both protecting drivers and passengers, as well as the safety of other road users – especially those who are more vulnerable, such as pedestrians and cyclists. That’s why the Munich-based commercial vehicle manufacturer is constantly working to improve its driver assistance systems (DAS), to provide customers with the best possible protection at all times.
Alongside this, MAN customers can rest assured that all current legal requirements are met, such as Regulation (EU) 2019/214, which has specified a range of systems as mandatory since 7 July 2024 – often well before legal regulations actually enter into force.
The following driver assistance systems from MAN are the latest safety aids for trucks, buses and vans to avoid accidents, reduce driver stress and improve the safety of all road users. They are available depending on the model range and emissions standards, as either standard or optional equipment. Here is a summary of the most innovative systems.
Assistance systems for trucks & buses
The area directly in front of the truck or bus is difficult or even impossible to see. This makes it dangerous if pedestrians or cyclists are in that area – especially in busy and hectic city traffic. MAN Front Detection identifies road users in an area 0.8 to 3.7 metres in front of the truck or bus when pulling away and at speeds of up to 10 km/h. The system consists of two radar sensors installed on the front of the vehicle and a camera integrated in the windscreen, which provide a visual and acoustic warning inside the truck or bus. If there is an object in the monitoring area while the truck or bus is at a standstill, a coloured area to the front of the vehicle is shown on the instrumentation display. If the truck or bus is moving and the Front Detection system identifies an object in the monitoring area, the coloured area to the front of the vehicle flashes on the instrumentation display and an acoustic signal sounds. The Front Detection system complements the Emergency Brake Assist (EBA Plus), which is only active at speeds of over 10 km/h (see below).
Prevent collisions: MAN Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) so far monitored vehicles in the corridor in which the vehicle is driving, or those moving in the same direction, and in an emergency would activate an automatic braking intervention up to full braking if necessary. At speeds of over 10 km/h, the third generation MAN EBA Plus also identifies other road users such as pedestrians or cyclists who are not directly in the path of the truck or bus, but who may potentially cross it. If there is a risk of collision and the driver does not react, the system activates a three-stage (visual and acoustic) warning and braking cascade and, if necessary, will activate the brakes or bring the vehicle to a standstill. The aim is to prompt the driver to react to defuse the situation, to prevent a collision or at least to reduce the severity of the impact. Thanks to its high precision and reliability, the system is a significant safety asset, especially where road visibility is poor, in bad weather and in the dark. EBA Plus combines information from two radar sensors installed on the front of the vehicle with data from a camera integrated in the windscreen. This solution from MAN goes far beyond the functionality required by law.
Truck: More information on MAN Emergency Brake Assist (EBA Plus)
Bus: More information on MAN Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) for buses
Road traffic regulations specify that the distance to the vehicle in front should generally be enough to be able to stop behind it, even if it brakes suddenly. The MAN Distance Warning System helps to maintain this necessary safe distance. When a warning is activated, the driver can correct the distance so that there is more reaction time for unforeseen situations. The Distance Warning System determines the distance to the vehicle in front using two radar sensors installed on the front of the vehicle and a camera integrated in the windscreen. If the safe distance is breached by a small amount for a short time, a coloured distance bar lights up in the instrumentation display. If the safe distance is breached significantly and for an extended period, an additional warning symbol and message are shown on the instrumentation display. However, if the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is activated, no warnings will be given as the ACC function will manage the preselected safe distance to the vehicle in front.
The MAN AttentionGuard attention assistant is always on and works from a speed of 60 km/h upwards, based on the principle of lane monitoring, identifying signs of reduced attention and unsafe driving, and providing the driver with a visual and acoustic warning. The system continuously evaluates directional stability, steering behaviour, time of day and journey time so that warnings and reminders to take a break can be given even if the vehicle does not cross any lane markings – whenever the MAN AttentionGuard detects any reduction in the driver’s attention, even before the driver realises they are becoming tired.
Truck: Attention guard: MAN AttentionGuard
Bus: Attention warning: MAN AttentionGuard
More eyes for more safety: MAN Turn Assist has two radar sensors located one above the other that provide additional safety on the co-driver’s side, providing almost 180° visibility in a difficult-to-see area at speeds of up to 30 km/h. A three-stage warning cascade with visual and acoustic signals enables the driver to react as quickly as possible to potential collisions, for example with pedestrians or cyclists approaching the blind spot.
A clear view through the forest of road signs and full focus on the task of driving: a video camera in the front windscreen identifies the road signs ahead of the truck or bus and shows the regulations that currently apply in real time on the display of the Infotainmentsystem MMC Navigation Advanced. If the speed limit is exceeded, the system provides the driver with a visual and acoustic warning.
Truck: Camera-based Speed Alert: MAN Traffic Sign Detection
Bus: Camera-based Speed Alert: MAN Traffic Sign Detection
MAN SafeStop Assist is the highlight of the many new and innovative assistance systems for MAN Trucks, as well as MAN and NEOPLAN buses. The system detects if a driver is no longer able to actively control the bus or truck for medical or other reasons. In such an emergency, the system automatically applies the vehicle’s brakes, keeps it in its lane until it comes to a standstill and keeps it safe (hazard warning lights) if the driver does not intervene despite a three-stage cascade of visual, haptic and acoustic warnings. This can help to prevent accidents with serious consequences. The basis for this is a combination of several assistance systems: MAN SafeStop combines driver activity detection with active lane guidance and the functionality of the ACC Stop & Go Adaptive Cruise Control system. Using a sensor integrated into the front of the vehicle and a camera positioned behind the windscreen, the system continuously monitors lane position as well as the distance, position and relative speed of objects moving ahead of the vehicle. MAN Truck & Bus is the only manufacturer to offer this assistance system on all new coach models.
The blind spot warning system uses radar sensors to monitor the area alongside the vehicle, which is difficult to see, thus reducing the risk of a collision with cyclists or other road users when turning. The system gives a visual and acoustic warning and can optionally be extended to monitor both sides. Alongside this, the drive-off warning system monitors the area directly in front of the van and helps to avoid accidents with cyclists or pedestrians when pulling away at speeds of up to 30 km/h. If the sensors detect a vulnerable road user in the hazard zone, a three-stage warning is given, visually in the side mirror and acoustically. The drive-off warning also helps the driver to identify more vulnerable road users near the vehicle at speeds of up to 10 km/h. If a person is identified in the hazard zone, a two-stage warning is given with a visual alert on the instrumentation display and an acoustic signal.
When turning left involves crossing the opposite lane, it is easy to overlook oncoming traffic. This is why the new turn assist monitors oncoming traffic in these situations and can help the driver to avoid head-on collisions by automatically braking the vehicle if dangerous situations occur. If drivers activate the left turn indicator, the assistant supports them at speeds of up to 20 km/h. To this end, the system uses radar sensors to proactively monitor oncoming traffic while turning. If the system detects a dangerous situation, it initiates an automatic braking procedure by force of the extremely short response time and warns the driver at the same time to prevent the vehicle from turning into oncoming traffic.
The Active Lane Guard and Traffic Jam Assist, only available in conjunction with ACC Stop & Go as part of the Cruise Assist package, helps the driver to keep the vehicle in its lane. The camera can also identify lane boundaries based on grass verges and the roadside. If the lane boundary is accidentally crossed, the system will give a warning by vibrating the steering wheel or with an acoustic signal, adjusting acceleration and braking according to the speed set by the driver or the distance to the vehicle in front. The Active Lane Guard and Traffic Jam Assist will also apply corrective steering to keep the vehicle in its lane. In a traffic jam, the vehicle will automatically brake to a standstill and move off again, keeping the vehicle in the middle of its lane.
The system helps the driver to maintain lane position, speed and distance to the vehicle in front – a useful aid, especially in heavy traffic. This reduces the risk of leaving the carriageway, tailgating and rear-end collisions. Cruise Assist Plus combines the functions of Active Lane Guard, ACC Stop & Go and Traffic Jam Assist. The integrated emergency assistant enables the system to automatically brake in an emergency, keeps the vehicle safe using the hazard warning lights and activates an eCall. The display in the cockpit continuously informs the driver about the status of the assistance system. Cruise Assist Plus is only available for vehicles with automatic transmission.
Text: Susanne Löw
Photos: MAN
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