According to foreign media reports, the commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN (MAN Truck & Bus) has announced the launch of an assistance system: the intelligent MAN SafeStop Assist for intercity buses and coaches, which will help prevent such accidents in the future. In the event of an emergency, the active intervention system automatically brings the vehicle to a safe stop. The basis for this is the complex interaction of several highly developed assistance systems.
The scenario is frightening: the bus driver suddenly collapses and loses control of the vehicle. “It is not uncommon for drivers to suddenly become unable to act due to unforeseen events, such as medical emergencies. The consequences can be devastating,” says Barbaros Oktay, Head of Buses at MAN Truck & Bus. “Experience shows that it is not uncommon for buses and coaches to veer off the road or collide with other road users in such situations.” The intelligent MAN SafeStop Assist is now available as an option for MAN Lion’s Intercity, MAN Lion’s Coach, NEOPLAN Tourliner and NEOPLAN Skyliner. “No other manufacturer can offer such a system. However, that is not why it is one of the most important innovations for the 2024 model year – the main reason is that it prevents serious accidents,” says Heinz Kiess, head of product marketing for buses at MAN Truck & Bus.
The basis for this is the ability of the active intervention system to recognise when the driver is unable to take action. For this purpose, the assistance system uses the driving activity recognition of the active lane protection system as well as the functions of adaptive cruise control (ACC Stop & Go). With the help of sensors integrated in the front of the vehicle and a camera located behind the windscreen, the system also continuously monitors lane keeping as well as the distance, position and relative speed of objects ahead. “All data collected is summarised and evaluated. In this way, SafeStop Assist can deduce the driver’s state of activity – and thus possible inactivity,” explains Kiess. “Thanks to the intelligent interaction of various highly developed systems such as Attention Protection, Lane Protection and Emergency Brake Assist, we are able to significantly increase the safety of drivers, passengers and other road users.”
If the system detects that the driver is no longer active, it intervenes in the driving process via a three-stage warning and braking cascade. In the first stage, the driver is prompted to take over the steering wheel by warning symbols and text messages on the display as well as a slight vibration of the steering wheel. If the driver fails to do so, an audible warning is added to the visual and haptic warning messages. The assistance system also applies increasingly heavy partial braking. If the driver also fails to respond, MAN SafeStop Assist initiates an emergency stop and brakes the bus to a standstill within the system’s restricted lanes – even if it’s meandering. “Of course, the driver can always regain control if possible. An emergency stop initiated by the system can be aborted immediately by forcing a downshift,” Kiess said.
However, if the emergency stop is not cancelled, the retrofit system automatically activates the hazard warning lights to warn road users behind. Once the vehicle has stopped, MAN SafeStop Assist also ensures that the bus does not skid. To do this, the system switches to neutral mode and automatically activates the electronic parking brake. It also unlocks the doors and switches on the interior lights to provide worry-free assistance in an emergency. “MAN SafeStop Assist increases the safety of bus driving and helps prevent serious accidents. At the same time, it provides first aid treatment to the driver more quickly in the event of a medical emergency,” concludes Kiess.