Safe and accurate on the road thanks to an optimal understanding of truck assistance systems.
Open questions regarding the use of driver assistance systems for trucks
The full potential for improved road safety through advanced driver assistance systems can hardly be achieved without awareness-raising and practical training. Many questions remain unanswered for users when using these systems:
What exactly do I need to pay attention to when using assistance systems and can I trust the assistance systems sufficiently? Does the system intervene immediately if it detects a hazard? Does the system warn me and how does it warn me? Are there haptic, acoustic or visual warnings?
The direct intervention of the systems, such as the lane departure warning system or emergency brake assist, is also unfamiliar and can cause a lot of uncertainty.
Training and practical tests can eliminate uncertainties when using driver assistance systems
Together with Hödlmayr, a two-day driver training session was held on the proving ground for autonomous driving in St. Valentin to improve understanding of truck driving assistance systems. 12 driver trainers from Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia and Belgium took part in the training course
In the theoretical part, the participants learned the technical basics of sensors and assistance systems and how their interaction and the correct operation of these systems can contribute to greater road safety.
„Advanced Driving Assistance Systems can already make an important contribution to improving road safety. It is important that these systems are used in a supportive manner. The driver must retain control of the vehicle and the traffic situation at all times. The best way to find out what you should pay particular attention to when using driver assistance systems and how the individual systems behave in reality in practical driving tests is to take part in training sessions or test drives in the protected environment of a proving ground. .“
DI Andrea Dumfart
Test- & Development Engineer , DigiTrans GmbH
Driving maneuvers and tests of driver assistance systems in the protected environment of a proving ground at the Digitrans Test Center for Autonomous Driving
In the practical test, various driving maneuvers were carried out on the test track at the Digitrans test center for autonomous driving in order to better understand the handling of the assistance systems and to test them in simulated traffic scenarios.
Hödlmayr’s driving trainers dealt intensively with key functions, including blind spot assist, stop-and-go, emergency brake assist and lane departure warning.
In addition, rain tests were carried out on the Digitrans outdoor rain system to evaluate the reaction of the driver assistance systems in different weather conditions.
The driving tests were carried out with a Hödlmayr truck and a Level 2 test vehicle from Digitrans.
Practical test of the turning assistant in the city zone of the Digitrans test center for autonomous driving on the test track in St. Valentin. The dummy drives across the road and is recognized in time by the truck’s assistance system. © DigiTrans GmbH
Practical test of the emergency brake assistant at the Digitrans test center for autonomous driving in St. Valentin. The truck approaches the prepared vehicle dummy at speeds between 30 and 70 km/h. If the driver does not take action, the emergency brake assistant reacts and brings the truck to a safe stop in front of the obstacle. © DigiTrans GmbH
Truck driver assistance systems – ADAS training sessions at the Digitrans test center for autonomous driving on the proving ground in St. Valentin. ©DigiTrans GmbH
„The tests and driving maneuvers at the Digitrans test center for autonomous driving helped us significantly to better understand the driver assistance systems in our truck and to be able to operate them with confidence. The practical tests in particular were absolutely helpful in gaining confidence and safety in dealing with the latest assistance systems. Ongoing driver training is crucial for Hödlmayr in order to ensure the continuous development and safety of our drivers.“
Christian Wansch, Team leader driver support Hödlmayr Logistics GmbH.
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