 | Road Safety Technology
The 1950s saw the introduction of new systems to help the driver steer and brake power steering and air brakes. This was vital as traffic started to increase and gross weights began to rise. The 1960s brought the establishment of Swedish cab safety standards, which are still the toughest in the world. |
 | Spring brakes were introduced to ensure that the parking brake was operational even following a loss of brake pressure. Automatic slack adjuster came and brake matching between the truck and on the trailer began in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, antilock brakes were introduced and greatly increased safety on the roads. |
| In 1984, Scania launched the first automated gear-changing system on the market. Working with a standard gearbox with pneumatic cylinders to do the shift work, all the driver had to do was to use the clutch. Gearchanging was controlled by a computer, but the driver could adjust the recommendations at any time. |
 | The structural strength of buses became an issue in the early 1980s. Concerns focused mainly on long-distance coaches, which travel at higher speeds, but Scania also tested city buses. In the tests, cars were crashed into the sides of city buses. City buses were even rolled over to ensure passenger safety – a work that has been ongoing ever since. |
 | Scania was the first truck manufacturer to introduce integrated seat belts as a standard feature in 1988. Belts that are integrated into the seat structure are more comfortable to wear, and follow the body precisely during the spring movements of the seat. Scania wanted to encourage the wearing of seat belts in trucks. |
| In the 1990s, it became possible to integrate electronic systems and make them work together in highly intelligent fashion. Scania's integrated retarder was launched in 1993. With its intuitive control via the brake pedal, it takes over up to 75% of all the regular brake work and keeps the wheel brakes fresh and cool for emergency applications. |
 | Scania made front underrun protection standard on its long-haulage trucks in 1995. Integrated in the front bumper structure, this device prevents passenger cars from being wedged under the truck in a frontal collision. Over the years several tests have been performed that prove the value of the system. One of the latest included an Audi A3 which crashed into a Scania R-series truck in 60 km/h. When the car hit the Scania's front underrun protection the test showed how great crash-worthiness is achieved. Passengers would have stepped out - shaken, but virtually unharmed. |
 | Scania’s fully automated gearchanging system Opticruise was introduced in 1995. The system works on a normal manual gearbox, changes gears automatically and makes driving safe and relaxed, especially in dense traffic. Opticruise optimises performance as well as fuel economy. By saving fuel, it also optimises emissions. |
 | Scania was the first manufacturer to launch electronically controlled disc brakes on trucks in 1996. Electronic control instead of pneumatics reduces response times by 50 percent, cutting the stopping distance from 80 km/h by around six metres with a fully laden combination. |
 | Another step was taken in truck driver safety in 1996. Belt tensioners and a driver's airbag add to the protection of the seat belt, but seat belts are still the basic life insurance. Without belts, the airbag could even be dangerous. |
| Smooth corners feature on our present generation of trucks and buses, providing a less dangerous exterior for pedestrians, and cutting air resistance and reducing water spray for other road users. |
| Since 2001, interactive driver training is given on delivery of new Scania trucks. The training focuses on safe driving and helps the driver become acquainted with his new truck. |
 | In 2001, Scania introduced red seat belts as an option. By wearing these conspicuous belts, drivers indicate that they care about road safety and encourage others to wear the seat belt. A large step towards improved road safety was taken in 2004 with the introduction of the R-series. The new truck was designed to support the driver in every possible way. |
 | The new dashboard further enhanced the Scania characteristics where the curved dashboard places the driver in focus with all buttons and controls within easy reach. The fine tuning of the vehicle dynamics provides correct driver feedback of the surrounding road conditions. |
 | The possibility of having the truck’s electronic brake system equipped with the electronic stability program – ESP - also further improves the driver support during difficult conditions. The ESP was at first only possible for 4X2 tractors but other combinations were soon to follow. The R-series also introduced a new steering wheel and column – the Driver Control Unit - which minimizes driver injury in the case of a severe crash. This is done by having additional energy absorption included in the steering wheel and column if the driver is thrown forward. Since the most effective way of maintaining a high level of safety for truck drivers is to wear the seatbelt Scania presented an intelligent seat belt reminder in 2005. The seat belt reminder was according to the recommendations given by the EuroNCap organisation. |
