New safety systems offer high-tech vehicle protection

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Volvo's City Safety automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops.

Updated: February 9, 2012 3:59PM

Safety innovations, which generally fall under the categories of crash avoidance or crash protection, are an increasingly innovative way that automakers market their cars to specific demographics.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the government body that conducts crash tests on new vehicles and studies the various factors involved in accidents. While NHSTA can mandate that automakers include certain safety features on vehicles, such as air bags, automakers are free to explore and develop new safety technologies.

Factors like driver behavior and cellphone use are regulated at the state and local level; it is here that NTSA will release findings and make recommendations to influence legislation.

In a perfect world, crash avoidance would cover the safety spectrum, and that is what the automakers are working toward with a number of fascinating developments. Simply put, these either warn at the windshield or intervene at the wheels — sometimes both.

In the required column, we have tire pressure monitoring systems to protect us from ourselves. Studies showed a troubling number of motorists were neglecting to maintain proper tire pressure, which was the resulting cause of numerous accidents. The side benefit is properly inflated tires are also crucial in achieving optimum fuel mileage.

Electronic stability control corrects skids by automatically applying the brakes to individual wheels. Brakes are obviously a crucial part of crash avoidance, and beyond the ubiquitous antilock brakes, some interesting features are available. Brake systems have been developed that can reduce stopping distances in a variety ways.

Electronic brake force distribution can keep a car more stable by modulating brake application based on load. Brake assist will detect a panic stop and apply full braking power. With additional sensors, brakes will build up pressure for faster response if a collision is imminent or give a slight application of brakes to wipe away rain. Also, brake override will electronically reduce throttle if brakes are applied at the same time, thought to be a leading cause of unintended acceleration incidents.

A forward collision warning system is advocated by NHTSA; it’s an audible or visual warning if the vehicle is closing too fast on an object ahead, whether it’s another car in traffic or a stationary object. Some automakers have taken this a step further with systems that will actually apply the brakes for you. This has been tied in with adaptive cruise control, which will maintain your car at a preset distance from the vehicle ahead.

Safety leader Volvo says insurance industry studies show its City Safety system on the XC60 has resulted in fewer accidents when compared to similar vehicles. It relies on a laser sensor embedded in the windshield, and it warns the driver of objects and applies the brakes automatically if deemed necessary.

Other sensors can track a vehicle’s path for a lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring. Similarly, cross path detection warns the driver of oncoming vehicles when backing out of a parking space.

Concept cars not only preview new models, styling trends and powertrain advances, but sometimes safety technology. Toyota’s NS4 concept, shown at last month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, not only predicts a new plug-in hybrid positioned above the Prius, but also introduced a next-generation “pre-collision system” that wraps several of these ideas together.

Toyota says the PCS system “uses millimeter-wave radar and stereo cameras mounted on the front of the vehicle to detect and react to lane departure, pedestrians and other vehicles. In addition, the system emits near-infrared beams to enhance PCS recognition at night. This driver assistance feature helps to avoid collisions with other vehicles, road-side obstructions and pedestrians by applying the brakes and manipulating steering.”

The current system, available in certain Lexus and Toyota vehicles, doesn’t steer but will apply the brakes and automatically retract the driver and front passenger seatbelts. In addition to City Safety, Volvo is offering pedestrian detection with full auto brake, which uses various technologies to identify and monitor numerous pedestrians at once. Indeed, Volvo’s SCC (safety concept car) from the 2001 Detroit show not only foreshadowed the styling of the current C30, but also many of the safety features Volvo is now implementing.

When all else fails, systems like Chrysler’s enhanced accident response unlock doors, turn on hazard lights and shut off fuel flow after the vehicle has been in a collision.

Interestingly, NHTSA has enhanced its crash testing procedure to provide the consumer with more comprehensive information. The new ratings appear starting on 2012 model year Monroney labels and at safercar.gov. They also indicate if the vehicle is equipped with electronic stability control, lane departure warning and forward collision warning.

The next frontier in vehicle safety is dealing with issues caused by technology, rather than solved by it. Crash safety in electric cars is receiving a lot of attention, as many new electrified models are poised to arrive in showrooms.

Driver distraction is a hot topic as well, caused by increasingly sophisticated in-car telematics and infotainment, or by texting and other cellphone use. The Chicago Auto Show is a great place to compare the different automakers’ safety strategies, and get a firsthand look at these technologies via the many interactive displays and vehicles on hand.