Business Articles

12th July 2005 - By Jim Wylie of RTL Systems

Announcing an innovative product to help keep Derbyshire roads safer

Safety on the roads is very important and ways of reducing accidents are always being investigated.

Over the years we have seen many different systems introduced into vehicles such as self tensioning seatbelts, intelligent braking systems, airbags and many more besides.

A technology now appearing on some private cars is adaptive cruise control to help intervene should there be a risk of an accident. Although not strictly speaking a collision warning system it incorporates some of the principles.

However, for larger vehicles there has been a collision warning system available in the US for over 10 years and it has now just been launched in the UK.

RTL, based in Charlesworth, have recently become the UK partner for the distribution of the VORAD collision warning system for commercial vehicles, buses, vans and minibuses. The system has a proven track record of reducing the number and cost of accident claims.

Manufactured by Eaton, who are well known as providers of commercial vehicle equipment, the system has been fitted to more than 60,000 vehicles.

The system is radar based and is designed to give extra warning to drivers to give them that little extra time to take action to avoid a collision. Many accidents are due to a moments inattention and this additional warning can make a big difference. Because the system works on the following times of vehicle it is not intrusive and only warns when there is a real danger.



Along with warnings of problems in front the system also comes with a side sensor that monitors the blind spot of the vehicle and is particularly useful when the driver is changing lanes or making awkward turning manoeuvres.

How does it works
Using modern radar technology the system scans the road ahead of the vehicle and alerts drivers to potential dangers. Based on the principle of the 'two second rule' - when your vehicle is within two seconds of the vehicle in front - the system will give visual and audible warnings as danger increases. The aim is to give that extra seconds warning which has been shown to be so important in avoiding accidents. This extra second has the potential to either avoid serious accidents or at least reduce the severity.

VORAD also watches the 'blind spot' on the vehicle. Failing to spot other vehicles in the blind spot can lead to many accidents, some of them very serious. Warnings will be given if your vehicle changes lanes or turns when there is something or someone in this area - a useful feature particularly in towns for vans.

What else does it do?
It can also operate as a driver training aid with reports being provided to driver trainers showing details of how closely vehicles have been following. This allows extra help to be aimed at those drivers most in need. A combination of a collision warning system and well trained drivers is a certain step towards reducing accidents.

In the event an accident should occur then businesses need to know what happened as soon as possible particularly if it has been a serious incident. The system can provide full Accident Reconstruction showing the position and speed of your vehicle and up to 20 other vehicles involved or recorded in the 10 minutes prior to the incident. This information can be invaluable in identifying blame and reducing investigation time and costs - it could help prove the innocence of one of your drivers

Large organisations such as BP and Texaco have begun fitting these systems to their vehicles but smaller vehicle fleet operators could benefit too. Avoiding accidents can save the human cost of accidents but users can also realise reductions in the cost of accidents to their business.

For further details on the system or to arrange a trial then contact Jim Wylie on 01457 866047.

Jim Wylie
Special Projects Manager
RTL Systems
01457 866047

www.rtlsystems.co.uk