Meritor Wabco Vehicle Control Systems has introduced OnGuard, a new technology designed to further improve commercial vehicle safety.
OnGuard is currently installed on nearly 200 vehicles and is targeted for

third quarter 2008 availability as a factory-installed option at several OEM brands.
It is a forward-looking, radar-based adaptive cruise control system with active braking for commercial vehicles in North America. Active braking improves vehicle safety by automatically using the vehicle foundation brakes to alert the driver and decelerate the vehicle when a pre-set vehicle following distance is compromised.
"OnGuard was designed to equip drivers with automated features that help ensure safe following distances and provide active braking as needed," said Jon Morrison, president and general manager, Meritor Wabco Vehicle Control Systems. "The driver is still the most important element in maintaining vehicle safety however, the system can provide the additional split-second deceleration needed to maintain control of the vehicle in an emergency situation."
Automatic foundation brake intervention distinguishes OnGuard from existing passive collision warning systems, which can only alert the driver to a potentially dangerous situation through alarm and engine braking. With this new product on the truck, if the pre-determined "safe" distance is compromised, OnGuard will provide visual and audible warning to the driver, vehicle deceleration through engine control, retarder control and most importantly, noticeable foundation braking. Foundation brake deceleration can be as great as one-third of a full brake application for the vehicle but within safe limits for the driver to take control.
Further advantage provided by OnGuard is that it fully integrates with the joint venture's anti-lock braking and stability control systems. Morrison added that this allows the customer to build a pyramid of safety for the vehicle with stability control and collision safety system via a single brake ABS ECU versus having additional "add-on" systems.
OnGuard's forward-looking, mono-pulse radar sensor is capable of detecting multiple moving and fixed objects at distances up to 500 feet away. It quickly coordinates responses from the engine, transmission and anti-lock braking systems through communications across the SAE J1939 data network. It provides feedback to the driver through the in-cab dash display, which includes a progressive audible alert.
This sequence of monitoring, warning and intervention is an important part of Meritor Wabco's strategy to reduce false alarms. OnGuard uses a proprietary time-to-collision algorithm, unlike the simple two-second headway alarms used by today's passive braking systems.
This new product, as well as all other Meritor Wabco products, will be supported by ArvinMeritor's comprehensive sales and support systems. ArvinMeritor's North American sales and service organization sells, services and supports the products to fleets, dealers and OEMs. Support mechanisms exist in the form of aftermarket parts, warranty administration, troubleshooting, and online technical and reference support.
For more information, visit www.arvinmeritor.com.