• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

Volvo to Reduce Low Speed Accidents with City Safety System

A Second Set of Eyes For Urban Driving

Youre driving around in the city or in rush hour traffic, and your phone rings. Or theres a song on the radio you dont like. Or, youve dropped a CD. In fact, any distraction inserted here will do. For a brief second you take your eyes off the road, and with it your attention. The next thing you know, your 9 AM meeting has been switched from clients to the back end of a minivan.

According to Volvos statistics, 75-percent of accidents reported are

Driving around in traffic can be frustrating, but not as frustrating as rear-ending someone. (Photo: Volvo)

of this type, taking place in urban situations at speeds of less than 30 km/h (roughly 19 mph). These sorts of collisions dont usually end up in fatalities, but they can lead to other injuries such as whiplash, not to mention the frustration and aggravation of the damage thats been

City Safety System can help. Using radar, it keeps a watchful eye (incapable of being distracted) on the road ahead. (Photo: Volvo)

caused, as well as associated insurance issues.

Volvo has taken an initiative to reduce the number of these accidents by 50-percent with a new system called "City Safety". It consists of an optical radar device thats mounted at the upper portion of the windshield that scans the road ahead up to 19.7 feet, 50 times per second at speeds under 19 mph. If City Safety picks up brake lights, or a still vehicle ahead, it will automatically prime

System should be on the roads by 09. Perfect for urban-friendly cars like the C30. (Photo: Volvo)

the brakes to help the driver slow down, or, if a crash is unavoidable, the brakes will be applied and the throttle will be cut to reduce damage.

Think of it as extending the use of two of Volvos newest safety technologies, Collision Warning and Brake Support, but aimed at low speeds.

Like all radar-based devices, the effectiveness of the City Safety system can be limited by weather conditions. Fog, mist, snow, heavy rain and accumulated dirt can "blind" the radar system. If the sensor cant function, it informs the driver via a warning light on the dashboard. Although the system is capable of providing braking

Volvos advancing all aspects of safety, not just passive safety. (Photo: Volvo)

power, it neither provides braking power, nor full braking power unless a crash is imminent, meaning that the driver is still responsible for keeping his or her eyes on the road.

Although Volvo is best known for its work in passive safety protection, it has made a lot of progress in terms of accident prevention. Its top of the line S80 features the aforementioned Collision Warning and Brake Support system, which warns the driver when an accident could potentially happen, applying the brakes if it is imminent. Volvo is also working on its Driver Alert System which monitors the eye movement patterns of a driver, and warns them if they are becoming fatigued. Currently, Volvo is still working on the development of City Safety, although it hopes to have it equipped on its vehicles by 2008.

Page:  1

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo