TROY, Mich. – Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems will market and distribute SafeTraK, Takata’s vehicle sensor system, which offers Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Driver Alertness Warning features, to the North American commercial vehicle industry. This agreement is the result of a newly forged alliance between Meritor WABCO and Takata Corp.’s U.S. subsidiary, TK Holdings Inc.
This vision-based system monitors the road ahead and audibly warns drivers if they unintentionally depart from a lane or the road. The SafeTraK LDW system alerts drivers of weaving, lane drifts or lane changes that occur without a turn-signal application by detecting and classifying lane markers on the road through a fully integrated, compact unit.
The unit is composed of a camera, optics, processor and a power supply that assist in tracking and projecting the lane ahead. Installation and setup are simple and the system automatically calibrates itself using the unit’s integrated diagnostics and can be installed directly on the vehicle’s windshield in less than an hour, according to the two companies.
“With more than 800 million miles of proven performance on commercial vehicles, SafeTraK LDW continues to assist in driver safety and awareness across North America,” said Kurt Hall, senior director of Vehicle Dynamics and Controls, Meritor WABCO. “While it is ultimately the driver’s responsibility to make sure that they are alert and engaged, a significant reduction in the number and severity of roadway departure crashes involving commercial vehicles could be achieved simply by alerting distracted or fatigued drivers of unintended lane drifts and changes. As a leader in safety and performance, our company continuously strives to engineer and market the highest-quality, most reliable safety systems. Our alliance with Takata further supports this effort, and we’re honored to provide fleets with SafeTraK to deliver advanced driver safety.”
SafeTraK features lane and obstacle detection and warning, drowsy-driver warning, 12- or 24- volt operation and integrated diagnostics. Takata complete portfolio of electronic products includes collision sensors, occupant protection systems and other safety-related electronics.
