Evolution of safety.
Omnibus Magazine

Evolution of safety.

Safety first.

From the anti-lock braking system to the new Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) and Sideguard Assist 2 – almost all modern safety and assistance systems have their origins with Mercedes-Benz. They are part and parcel of an integral safety concept.

Wherever the journey takes you, in a Mercedes-Benz bus or coach, your drivers and passengers are in safe hands. It makes no difference whether the journey is a short distance through the city to work or school or in a long distance coach and on a holiday trip covering thousands of kilometres on motorways throughout Europe. Maximum safety is at the heart of the Mercedes-Benz brand. That’s why Mercedes-Benz has been supporting drivers for many years, constantly improving the range and effectiveness of our assistance systems – in so doing offering the best possible protection for all passengers and other road users. The focus is on active safety for accident prevention.

From the anti-lock braking system in 1981 to the electropneumatic brake system (EBS) in 1997, the adaptive cruise control, Electronic Stability Program, Lane Assist and the continuous brake limiter in the last decade, to the turning assistant Sideguard Assist and the emergency braking system Active Brake Assist in increasingly effective and advanced versions – almost all modern assistance systems have had their world premiere on a bus or coach bearing the three-pointed star.

For Mercedes-Benz, however, safety is more than just a series of individual measures: it is a comprehensive, integral safety concept. The associated claim is clearly formulated: as a premium brand, Mercedes-Benz wants to fulfil the most stringent of safety requirements and is forging ahead with its development activities in all areas. The integral safety concept comprises several components. It centres on a wide range of innovative safety equipment for specific vehicles and applications, with the aim of continuously improving active and passive safety. These range from safe driving to use in the event of danger and the mitigation of accident consequences to providing guidelines for rescue services.

“The aim of the integral safety concept is an ambitious one: to make accident-free driving a reality.”

This includes other measures such as OMNIplus driver training courses. The aim is for drivers to identify and avoid hazards in time. They are also shown how to react correctly in the event of an accident. Another key part of the concept involves informing passengers on how to use the on-board safety equipment – starting right from the beginning with putting on seat belts in the touring coach. But the concept also extends far beyond this to include responsible vehicle maintenance and the use of tried and tested genuine spare parts for servicing. The aim of the integral safety concept is an ambitious one: to make accident-free driving a reality.

With its standard equipment, the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo touring coach really sets the standard when it comes to safety. It's equipped with a host of innovative assistance systems. The standard emergency braking system Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) is outstanding. Its new sensors make it even more powerful than its predecessor. ABA 6 detects moving or stationary people and cyclists in front of the vehicle and can initiate emergency braking independently. This means that accidents can be avoided even more reliably. The system covers the entire vehicle speed range and is active in the background.

The new radar-based turning assistant Sideguard Assist 2, which warns of the risk of collision with pedestrians and cyclists, is also part of the Tourismo's standard equipment. Previously only available for the door side, it is now also available for use on the driver’s side. Sideguard Assist 2 works hand in hand with the likewise new Frontguard Assist, which monitors the area immediately in front of the vehicle. Last but not least, the reversing camera, Lane Assistant (SPA), Traffic Sign Assist, Attention Assist (AtAs), the adaptive cruise control (ART) and the tyre pressure monitoring (TPM) in the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo touring coach provide more safety as standard, taking the strain off the driver. The optional 360° camera system and MirrorCam ensure a better overview of all situations.

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      The safety level of the city and intercity buses from Mercedes-Benz is just as exemplary. Citaro, eCitaro fuel cell, CapaCity large-capacity regular-service buses as well as the Intouro and Conecto intercity buses are equipped as standard with a wide range of assistance systems to further improve safety and protect vulnerable road users.

      These include the turning assistant Sideguard Assist 2 and the new Frontguard Assist. A reversing camera, Traffic Sign Assist, the tyre pressure monitoring system TPM and Attention Assist (AtAs) are also part of the standard equipment. Additional safety is ensured by the optional emergency braking assistant Preventive Brake Assist 2, the likewise optional 360° camera system (articulated buses: 270° camera system) and the MirrorCam, which is optionally available for all buses. The Intouro can also be optionally equipped with Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6).

      All of this makes the Mercedes-Benz bus and coach range the true safety expert. Mercedes-Benz wishes you a pleasant and, above all, safe journey – wherever the road may take you.

      Hotspot module

      1991

      1991.

      Disc brakes all-round. Better braking characteristics and less fading.

      UN ECE R66 (EU directive on protection in the event of rollover). Ensures survival space for passengers

      1997

      1997.

      EBS (electropneumatic brake system with disc brakes all round). Ensures the best response times for service brakes.

      1999

      1999.

      Integrated outside mirror with integrated reversing aid: Assists the driver when manoeuvring by issuing a warning when approaching an obstacle.

      2002

      2002.

      ESP® (Electronic Stability Program): stabilises the vehicle in critical driving situations through targeted brake intervention.

      2003

      2003.

      BAS ( Brake Assist): Controls the maximum brake pressure when the desire for emergency braking is detected.

      2004

      2004.

      DBL (Continuous Brake Limiter): prevents the vehicle from exceeding the maximum speed on downhill gradients.

      Adaptive cruise control (ART): automatically manages the desired distance to vehicles ahead.

      SPA (Lane Assistant): warns of unintentional lane departure.

      2008

      2008.

      Rain and light sensor: turns lights/headlights on automatically.

      Static cornering light: illuminates curves optimally.

      ABA 1 (Active Brake Assist 1): emergency braking in response to slower vehicles in front.

      FCG (Front Collision Guard): protects driver/co-driver in the event of a frontal impact.

      2011

      2011.

      ESP® (Electronic Stability Program): stabilises the vehicle in critical driving situations through targeted brake intervention.

      ECE R29/pendulum impact: fulfilment of the pendulum impact test (based on) improved strength of the front section.

      Crash impact absorber: protects the driver in the event of a frontal collision.

      2012

      2012.

      ABA 2 (Active Brake Assist 2): triggers braking manoeuvres even when encountering stationary obstacles.

      AtAs (Attention Assist): warns the driver when fatiguing.

      2014

      2014.

      AEBS emergency braking assistant (Advanced Emergency Braking System). Exceeds current legal requirements.

      Stop-and-Go Assist Traffic Jam Assist: enables fatigue-free driving in traffic jams.

      2014

      2014.

      ATC (Articulation Turntable Controller): stabilises articulated buses in critical driving situations almost like ESP®.

      ABA 3 (Active Brake Assist 3): emergency braking for stationary obstacles.

      TPM (Tyre Pressure Monitoring): constant monitoring of the tyre pressure.

      2015

      2015.

      LED main headlamps: allow driver's eyes to fatigue less quickly and deliver a nearly constant high light output over their entire service life.

      2018

      2018.

      Preventive Brake Assist: warns of an impending collision with pedestrians, vehicles ahead or stationary objects, and initiates partial braking.

      Sideguard Assist turning assistant: warns of stationary/moving objects to the side of the vehicle.

      2018

      2018.

      ABA 4 (Active Brake Assist 4): also detects pedestrians and initiates partial braking.

      2020

      2020.

      ABA 5 (Active Brake Assist 5): in addition to emergency braking ahead of stationary and moving obstacles, it now also triggers emergency braking ahead of moving pedestrians.

      2021

      2021.

      360° camera system: best possible all-round visibility for maximum safety. Four cameras capture the vehicle's surroundings and generate an indirect all-round view. In so doing, passers-by and obstacles are also detected in areas that are otherwise not visible.

      2022

      2022.

      270° camera system: Generates a digital image of the area behind the articulated bus and thus increases road safety.

      2023

      2023.

      ABA 6 (Active Brake Assist 6): its new sensors make it even more powerful than its predecessor system. It can detect moving and stationary people and cyclists in front of the vehicle and can initiate emergency braking independently.

      Preventive Brake Assist 2 Can warn of a collision with stationary or moving pedestrians or cyclists and automatically initiates a braking manoeuvre with partial braking.

      Sideguard Assist 2: reacts and gives an even more precise warning if there is a risk of collision with pedestrians or cyclists. Previously only available for the door side, it is now also available for use on the driver’s side.

      2023

      2023.

      Frontguard Assist: monitors the area immediately in front of the vehicle and warns of pedestrians and cyclists.

      Traffic Sign Assist (TSA): compares the current speed of the bus with the permitted vehicle speed and warns if the permitted speed is exceeded.

      MirrorCam: cameras instead of the exterior mirrors and displays in the driver’s field of vision improve safety by providing an extended field of vision and additional functions.