Braking earlier and more rapidly prevents expensive rear-end collisions
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09/08/2008 A brief distraction is all it takes and an expensive accident is unavoidable. Emergency Brake Assist detects critical situations in urban traffic and ensures optimum braking. And, if you don't want a costly speeding ticket, then make use of Speed Limit Monitoring. Berlin/Frankfurt am Main, Germany. With the vehicles in front, alongside and behind you constantly changing, and with all its road junctions, traffic lights and the thick press of cars, buses, motorcycles, pedal cyclists and pedestrians, urban traffic demands great concentration from car drivers. Three quarters of all accidents involving injuries occur within built-up areas at speeds of up to 30 km/h; well over 200,000 accidents of this type are recorded by the police in Germany every year. The accident statistics are not much different in other European countries either. The city version of Emergency Brake Assist, developed by international automotive supplier Continental, has been especially optimized for use in urban traffic and could prevent many low speed rear-end collisions. And even if they cannot be prevented completely, the consequences of a rear-end collision will at least be far less serious. As of this year, the sensor-assisted, forward-looking Emergency Brake Assist is already in series production with a European car manufacturer.
In addition, data from the proximity sensor is used to pre-tension the safety belts prior to a collision and if necessary to optimize airbag ignition. Emergency Brake Assist (EBA): coming to an earlier stop in an emergency even from high speed A moment ago the traffic was flowing along the freeway well above the recommended speed; but suddenly, the hazard warning lights are flashing simultaneously in all three lanes. Some energetic braking is now needed to avoid a crash. This is where Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) can help in several ways. For one thing, the system's radar sensors can detect whether the distance to the vehicles in front is narrowing or if there is an obstacle in the road. If so, Emergency Brake Assist can place the braking system on anticipatory "high alert" by raising the pressure in the hydraulic system, charging the brake lines and applying the brake pads. These precautionary measures will be taken without the driver noticing, ready for the braking system to react in the shortest possible time. The instant the driver takes his foot off the accelerator, partial braking will be initiated and as soon as he steps on the brake pedal, braking force will be immediately available without any further delay. With the brakes “pre-charged” in this way, the stopping distance from 100 km/h is reduced by some 10 meters. If the driver does not realize that an accident is imminent, the Emergency Brake Assist warns him and gently applies the brakes. If the driver steps on the brake far too hesitantly for the vehicle to come to a halt in good time - which is usually the case - the Emergency Brake Assist will detect this and raise the brake pressure to the required level. This can significantly improve the stopping distance – in many cases, these are the very meters which make the difference between "just about made it OK" and a rear-end collision costing several thousand euros and involving personal injury. Speed Limit Monitoring (SLM): always aware of the current speed limit Press Image to the issue Emergency Brake Assist in the Continental Media Center. |
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Contact:
Nicole Geissler External Communications Continental Division Chassis & Safety Guerickestraße 7 60488 Frankfurt am Main Phone: +49 69 7603-8492 Fax: +49 69 7603-3945 E-Mail: nicole.geissler@continental-corporation.com |