Wabco’s next generation OnLane lane departure warning system features a new, high-resolution camera integrated with a SmartDrive video-based driver performance management system to reduce instances of wandering and unsafe maneuvers.

Analysis by the management system enhances OnLane’s current method of continuously monitoring the vehicle’s position within lane markings and alerting the driver when it detects unintentional lane changes, said Jon Morrison, president, Americas for Wabco North America, in announcing the system last week at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.

Wabco also said it has marked a major milestone of more than 100,000 OnGuard collision mitigation systems sold in North America through its Meritor Wabco Joint Venture since its introduction in 2007.

Video analysis

The OnLane-SmartDrive system uses a high-resolution camera for video recording and near real-time analysis of streamed video. Aside from warning drivers when they’re erring, it can coach them to improve their safety and efficiency, Morrison said. These capabilities and the single, more capable camera eliminate the two forward-looking cameras previously required.

The single camera and associated equipment records errors such as wandering into an adjacent lane, failure to signal while changing lanes, and making U-turns that might seem innocuous but are inherently dangerous for large trucks, he said. Driver supervisors can take corrective action based on the recordings.

“Wabco’s OnLane demonstrates the powerful connectivity of comprehensive real-time data gathered from our advanced monitoring, control and braking systems and SmartDrive’s in-depth video analytics of driver behavior,” Morrison said. “Vehicle fleet owners gain access to a powerful new tool to help advance the safety and efficiency performance of their drivers and vehicles.”

The OnLane-SmartDrive combination is the first product resulting from Wabco’s strategic partnership with, and $20 million investment in, SmartDrive Systems, the San Diego-based driving performance management developer, Morrison said.

Accident costs down by as much as 89%

OnGuard detects vehicles ahead and measures the vehicle's position in relation to others on the road to warn the driver of a possible rear-end collision. If the driver fails to take appropriate corrective action in time, the system automatically applies the brakes to help mitigate or prevent impending rear-end collisions.

The 100,000-plus systems and the heavy trucks they’re on have covered 45 billion miles, Morrison said. Fleets have reported a 65-87% reduction in accidents and up to an 89% reduction in accident costs since adopting OnGuard.

"We have sold more OnGuard systems in the last 20 months than in the previous seven years," Morrison said. 

Last year, Wabco introduced OnGuard Active for North American trucks and buses. It works in all seasons and low visibility driving situations, sensing moving, stopping and stationary vehicles to mitigate or prevent impending rear-end collisions. It can bring the vehicle to a complete stop.