ZF announced it will supply its OnTraX lane-keeping assist technology as optional equipment on Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks built in 2023. The announcement marks the first time ZF’s driver-assistance technology will be available on a commercial vehicle platform in North America.

ZF debuted its OnTraX lane-keeping assistance system back in 2018, touting it as a “building block” type of admission to the technological platform established by its ReAx electronic steering system. At the time, ZF said it was talking with various OEMs about adding OnTraX as optional equipment in keeping the increasing popularity of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) in the North American trucking industry.

“We’re very pleased to partner with a global leader like Paccar to integrate this critical safety technology into their newest truck platform,” said Julien Plenchette, senior vice president of the Americas with ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division. “We continue to work closely with our commercial vehicle customers to provide ADAS technology that can help to make the roadways safer for all travelers.”

How ZF’s OnTraX Lane-Keeping Assistance System Works

OnTrax activates once it determines the truck is within its lane and traveling 40-plus mph, or cruising speed.

• A forward-facing camera "sees" the edges of a marked lane and enables the lane keep assist technology.

• If the tractor starts drifting out of its lane without activating the turn signal, the system using on-board processors, develops an action plan.

• Then, the ReAX adaptive steering module adjusts the steering torque and offers a gentle counter-steer – a slight nudge – to push the truck back into the appropriate lane.

When the turn signal is on, the driver can cross the lane without intervention.The system is also designed to recognize critical maneuvers, due to hand wheel speed input from the driver, and ceases correction during obstacle avoidance.

Tom Otter, ZF’s aftermarket business unit leader, told HDT in 2018 that OnTrax was a “next step in driver comfort, safety, and control.” At the time, Otter noted, OnTraX works by combining information from the road, vehicle, camera, and ReAX modules, to boost and monitor steering control for the vehicle. Using that information, the system proactively helps drivers avoid unintentional lane departures, detect and increase awareness of driver fatigue and interact with and enhance collision mitigation systems on commercial vehicles.

The ZF OnTraX lane-keeping assistance system will be produced at ZF’s Queretaro, Mexico, facility.

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