The tests take place in the depot of the Timișoara Public Transport Company (STPT) and present a technology adapted to urban mobility.
The forward collision warning system is based on the use of radar technology in combination with digital maps. It also allows the emergency brakes to be activated.
Continental is testing the forward collision warning system on a tram in Timișoara. Continental Engineering Services (CES), the development and engineering services provider within Continental, offers technical solutions for safer urban traffic through technologies created with the aim of providing the best experiences for both drivers and passengers. The company is testing the system on a tram in the depot of the Timișoara Public Transport Company. The collaboration with STPT supports the development of safe and sustainable solutions for public transport.
Trams operate mostly in intense and very complex traffic inside the city, an environment in which the number of unprotected traffic participants is increasing: the use of bicycles and electric scooters has increased. At the same time, attention in traffic has decreased, especially due to the use of mobile phones.
The forward collision warning system uses information obtained through radar detection, precise positioning using the GPS antenna and a digital map. It identifies obstacles on the tram’s estimated route and sends the driver a visual and audible warning signal for the detected object, in a first stage, and then for emergency braking. The solution can be implemented in a notification-only version, giving the driver the option to activate the brake manually, or in a version where the emergency brake can be activated automatically, so that the tram stops immediately, without human intervention.
“The possibility of testing new innovative technologies, such as frontal collision warning systems on a tram, represents a significant step towards creating a modern public transport system, in line with current requirements. Our partnership with Continental gives us the opportunity to experiment with technical solutions aligned with our vision for smarter, safer and more comfortable urban mobility,” said Constantin Cocheci, director of the Timișoara Public Transport Company.
“We offer our engineering experience to support the transfer of automotive-specific technology and products to customers in other industries. Our collaboration with the Public Transport Company of Timisoara offers an excellent opportunity to improve our solutions for the railway sector, through research and development activities carried out locally. The forward collision warning system, customized by CES for the specific needs of public transport, represents an important evolution for improving safety in urban mobility”, said Sorin Iarca, Head of Continental Engineering Services Romania.
Source: continental.com/ro-ro/presa