Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Automatic Braking Could Take Longer to Develop for Big Trucks

Automatic emergency braking could take longer to develop in large commercial trucks because of the unique challenges in vehicles that are larger in size and heavier in weight.

by Staff
April 4, 2016
Automatic Braking Could Take Longer to Develop for Big Trucks

 

2 min to read


Automatic emergency braking could take longer to develop in large commercial trucks because of the unique challenges in vehicles that are larger in size and heavier in weight, according to a Forbes report.

The U.S. automotive industry has committed to including the safety system in most light vehicles by 2022, but it will likely take longer for the commercial industry to join suit.

Ad Loading...

Automatic braking could decrease truck fatalities by as much as 47%, according to research by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

The Truck Safety Coalition, Center for Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Road Safety America filed a petition with the National Highway Safety Administration to make AEB mandatory for all new trucks.

However, developing a reliable and safe version of the technology for commercial vehicles is a big challenge, due to the size of the vehicles. It would be necessary for the system to not only bring a truck to a quick stop, but also do so without causing the vehicle to flip or lose control.

Ad Loading...

NHTSA expects it to take more time to develop the required technology and have set no timeline for when the change would be implemented.

The potential for mandatory AEB on trucks may also have a significant impact on the commercial diagnostics and sensors markets, which are likely to grow with a NHTSA mandate, according to market analysts at Research and Markets.

The European Union already mandates collision warning and automatic braking systems on commercial trucks. But U.S. regulators want to ensure that a system like that is safe for use in large vehicles before making it a requirement.

More Safety & Compliance

Illustration of rising costs with truck in background

Truck Crash Rates Are Down. So Why Do Insurance Costs Keep Rising?

ATRI’s latest research points to litigation, social inflation, and soaring claims costs as key drivers behind record-high liability premiums for trucking fleets. But there are things motor carriers can do.

Read More →
Safety & ComplianceMay 20, 2026

FMCSA Removes More Than a Dozen ELDs from Registered List

The FMCSA continues its efforts to fight electronic logging devices that don't meet federal requirements, removing more than a dozen from the registered ELD list in May.

Read More →
SCOTUS trucking broker verdict.
Safety & Complianceby Jack RobertsMay 19, 2026

How the Supreme Court Broker Liability Ruling Could Reshape Trucking’s Safety Landscape

The Supreme Court’s May 11 broker-liability ruling may not radically rewrite transportation law overnight. But industry experts say it will intensify pressure on brokers, carriers, and shippers to prove they are prioritizing safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...

Recall of Fontaine Fusion Flatbeds Warns Owners Not to Use the Trailers

Some Fontaine Fusion flatbed trailer manufactured between February 2025, and March 2026 could have mainbeams weakened by hydrogen embrittlement because of a problem in the galvanizing process.

Read More →
Graphic with light bulbs, HDT Truck Fleet Innovators logo, and the word Nominations
Fleet ManagementMay 15, 2026

Deadline Extended for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators Nominations

Heavy Duty Trucking has extended the deadline for nominations for its Truck Fleet Innovators awards. The deadline has been extended to May 22.

Read More →
Illustration of U.S. Supreme Court building and a truck crash

Supreme Court Ruling Puts Freight Broker Vetting Practices in Spotlight

The unanimous SCOTUS ruling in the closely watched Montgomery v. Caribe case allows state negligence claims against freight brokers that hire unsafe motor carriers, raising new liability and vetting concerns among brokers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail illustration

The Truck Safety Tech K&B Transportation Says Is Making a Difference [Watch]

Can technology help prevent truck crashes? In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Takes episode, K&B Transportation explains how it’s using cameras, speed management tools, cellphone-blocking technology, and other systems to improve safety and reduce risk across its fleet.

Read More →
Lance Evans, Director of Safety at K&B Transportation.
Safety & ComplianceMay 13, 2026

Listen: Inside Modern Fleet Safety: AI, Cameras & Speed Control at K&B Transportation

Fleet safety is evolving fast—and technology is at the center of it. Learn how a former commercial vehicle enforcement officer turned director of safety at K&B Transportation is embracing real-world safety technology.

Read More →
Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo

FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now

FMCSA's long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls. And there are steps you need to take by May 14.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Winter pileup accidents.
Disaster Responseby Jack RobertsApril 30, 2026

Avoiding Winter Pileups: Don’t Become the Next Link in the Crash-Chain

Winter roadway “pileups” aren’t one crash — they’re a chain reaction. Here’s what triggers them, how truck drivers can spot the danger early, and what to do if you're suddenly trapped in the mess.

Read More →