VOLKSWAGEN
MANUFACTURERS
33



Active response		  

With a multi-faceted safety programme embracing the introduction of new technology in models, Volkswagen is enabling fleet customers to benefit from free risk assessments as well as ensuring its fleet staff work in the safest possible environment

“Tomorrow's vehicles must, and will have, anticipatory qualities enabling recommendations for action as well as active driver support”
A raft of driver-assistance technology to prevent serious road crashes is set to revolutionise active vehicle safety, according to Volkswagen. Just as the now standardisation in new cars of ABS brakes, the fast-growing availability of electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) and improved occupant protection as a result of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has improved vehicle safety, future initiatives focus on producing a car smart enough to anticipate a potential crash situation and take preventative action.

The future, says Volkswagen, belongs to driver assistance technology, of which ESP is the first (see page 43). Germany’s General Association of the Insurance Industry attributes around 25% of all serious crashes on the nation’s motorways to fatigued drivers momentarily falling asleep at the wheel. A further 14% of all accidents, claims the Association, are caused by driver distraction from the road. Matthias Rabe, head of group research at Volkswagen AG, says: “Tests conducted by Volkswagen’s accident research unit show that ESP can reduce the risk of losing control of a vehicle by as much as 80%.”

In the UK, ESP is fitted to all Volkswagen models as standard, with the exception of Sharan – where it is standard on V6 and 4MOTION models, but optional on other versions – and Lupo and Polo, where it is an optional feature. Effectively, tomorrow’s safety features will provide operating recommendations and active support to drivers by monitoring the ambient traffic situation, and will recognise imminent circumstances which require responsive action before the driver can anticipate them. Once the knowledge is captured, the system will prove the information the driver needs. Mr Rabe says: “Where necessary, the system will automatically initiate measures to prevent an accident from happening or to cushion the outcome of an unavoidable accident. This technology will enable an inter-communications network to be established among different vehicles.

“We must not allow the increasing number of operating functions and informations to result in drivers being additionally distracted”

“The objective is to prevent accidents using control technology. The technology in use today is not yet capable of preventing accidents caused by driver non-response, by the completely inappropriate response of drivers or by drivers not knowing how to respond. That is why tomorrow’s vehicles must, and will have, anticipatory qualities, enabling recommendations for action as well as active driver support.” Volkswagen’s goal is to enable accident-free driving by creating vehicles with the ability of foresight. Mr Rabe says: “The way to achieve this is to use a system that will interlink the driver-assistance technologies that will launch the next revolution in the field of active vehicle safety.”

Tomorrow’s cars will be able to communicate with each other by scanning the immediate environment, drawing their own conclusions from the information they capture and then warning drivers of the dangers ahead. “By interlinking driver assistance and communications systems, we will be making the transition from ‘seeing’ vehicles to ‘foresighted’ vehicles.” However, in creating a network system, Mr Rabe says: “We must not allow the increasing number of operating functions and information to result in drivers being additionally distracted.”

Volkswagen has now unveiled nine different technologies that are likely to be seen in model ranges across the whole Group, which also includes Audi, Skoda and SEAT, in the future and, in fact, some of the technology can already be found on range-topping models.

 

Call for companies to take responsibility
All forward-thinking organisations that expect their employees to drive on company business should take measures to limit the risk exposure of both themselves and their staff. That’s the message from Vince Kinner, head of fleet services at Volkswagen, which late last year forged a partnership with risk management provider DriveTech (UK) to enable companies to introduce best practice occupational road safety policies to their at-work driving operations.

Mr Kinner says: “We are delighted to offer our fleet customers a ‘free of charge’ initial risk consultation.” Volkswagen’s tailored risk management solution, “Fleetsafe”, embraces risk assessment, risk management and driver training to give fleet customers the complete solution to meet their at-work driving health and safety requirements. Mr Kinner says: “There is a lot of talk in the media about the importance of managing occupational road risk, but there is not a lot happening in reality. While fleet operators say the issue is high on their agendas in terms of concern for road safety, it seems that apathy prevails.” In a bid to improve risk assessment take-up, DriveTech has now started to canvass Volkswagen’s eligible fleet customers rather than leave the onus on fleet decision-makers to take up the offer.

“We don’t believe we should force a risk assessment on any individual organisation. How companies deal with occupational road risk and their own driver safety issues is up to them, but we would expect all forward-thinking organisations to take action. It is about being responsible to yourself, your colleagues and other road users.” The free risk assessment – assistance with the introduction of any recommendations then becomes a commercial proposition between DriveTech and the client – is just one aspect of a burgeoning partnership between the vehicle manufacturer and the country’s leading provider of at-work driving risk management, driver assessment and driver-training solutions. As part of the strategic partnership, DriveTech has recently taken delivery of a fleet of 15 new Passat saloons; DriveTech trainers also provided expert advice from the passenger seat to fleet decision-makers who took to the roads in Passats at last month’s annual Company Car in Action event at Millbrook, Bedfordshire.

Mr Kinner adds: “The Volkswagen brand is seen as reliable and safety-orientated and we wanted to extend that message in the current climate to talk to customers about the philosophy of safety from an at-work driving perspective.

“While a number of vehicle manufacturers offer driver training to customers, we believe that by offering customers a free-of-charge initial risk assessment, we are broadening awareness of the importance of safety. It is much more than simply driver training, although that may be one of the outcomes of the risk assessment.”

For more details on the free-of-charge DriveTech initial consultation available to all Volkswagen fleet customers tel: 01344 467880 or visit: www.drivetech.co.uk

 

Automatic distance control (ADC): The first systems utilising this technology are optional features in the Volkswagen Phaeton and Audi A8 – although known as adaptive cruise control – and will soon be available as an option on the recently-launched new Volkswagen Passat.

The radar-based technology ensures that a consistent distance is maintained to the vehicle ahead, automatically braking when this safe distance is diminished and then accelerating to the previously set speed once the situation allows. The next generation of the system will be known as ADC+F2S (follow to stop), which will be capable of automatically bringing the vehicle to a complete halt when needed. Volkswagen says F2S will be particularly useful in stop-go traffic.

Automatic emergency brake assistant: This is activated as soon as the system identifies an obstacle and concludes that a collision is no longer avoidable. By immediately performing a hard stop, the speed of impact, and thus the risk of injury, can be substantially reduced. Just like in the ADC+F2S system, the radar sensor used in this assistance solution scans the area ahead of the vehicle and delivers the necessary information from which the system can deduce the further measures to be initiated.

“18% of all accidents are attributable to drivers veering off the road. And, depending on the road surface, that figure can reach 40%”

Lane departure warning (LDW): This application, which is close to going into production, uses a system of cameras on a vehicle to analyse boundary lines on the road, warning the driver that they are about to deviate from the lane of travel either because of sleepiness or inattention. According to an analysis undertaken by Volkswagen’s accident research unit and based on data provided by the Medical University of Hanover, 18% of all accidents are attributable to drivers veering off the road. And, depending on the road surface, that figure can reach 40%.

By adding further components to the system, the LDW feature will also be able to provide corrective information when driving through roadworks or in poor visibility. Links can also be set up to the automatic distance control, attention control and other applications, thereby creating a combination system.

Attention control: A camera installed in the car will monitor the driver’s blinking movements and will draw conclusions about the degree of attentiveness of the driver. It is calculated that 25% of all road deaths are attributable to the sleepiness of drivers. If the system perceives the driver to be at risk of sleepiness, it will warn them to take a break from driving.

Traffic sign recognition: This system will use the dashboard multi-functional display to tell the driver of prescribed speed limits during a journey.

Integral handling control: A myriad of complex active vehicle-handling systems – roll-and-pitch compensation, steering intervention and all-wheel systems with individual wheel control – make it increasingly important for vehicles to have a central control unit. The job of this software is to regulate all active components – drive, brakes, steering and running gear – in any given motoring situation. What makes this system different in comparison with the active vehicle-stability control systems used today is that it consistently influences vehicle handling. The technology is already featured in an Audi A8, with active suspension and electro-hydraulic brakes. The company says driving the model feels like “gliding on rails”.

Assisted/automatic parking: This technology is set to end the problems associated with trying to manoeuvre a vehicle into a tight parking space. The technology is being tested by Volkswagen Group Research and enables drivers to choose between the “assisted” or “automatic parking” features for reverse parking. In “parking space” search mode, radar sensors determine the dimensions of any available space which the vehicle passes and also of any obstacles.

“We want to make sure that our staff are aware of all
the dangers
they face”

Once it has evaluated this sensory data and recognised the parking space, the system automatically calculates the ideal parking manoeuvre. The driver then presses the button that activates the parking assistant and the car steers itself into the space in reverse gear. In the case of “assisted parking”, the driver regulates the speed of the manoeuvre using the foot pedals. Once the automatic reverse manoeuvre is completed, the driver corrects the car’s position by moving the vehicle forward into place. In the case of “automatic parking”, the car manoeuvres itself into the space as well as correcting itself into the final position. In contrast to parking assistance technology currently available, which typically uses a camera or ultrasound to capture the necessary data, Volkswagen says its radar-based solution allows for greater speed as the vehicle travels past available space to determine its suitability and a higher degree of precision.

Perception of vehicle surroundings: This technology – which uses a combination of cameras, radar and laser sensors – will provide drivers with a 360-degree picture of the vehicle’s environment depicting road lanes, vehicles and other objects. Volkswagen says such information is important, for example, when driving on to a motorway. To get a comprehensive take on the traffic situation the driver not only needs to focus ahead but also to look over their shoulder to ensure there are no vehicles possibly out of view of the car’s mirrors.

The new technology will make it much easier for the driver by providing all the necessary information on an in-car display so that the whole manoeuvre will be possible at far less risk and with a much greater degree of comfort.

Enhanced night vision: This system employs the use of an infrared unit to identify pedestrians or any other possible sources of hazard. A heat-image camera identifies pedestrians and their position or distance from the vehicle so as to be able to inform the driver of the potential risk they pose.

Unlike systems produced by other manufacturers, the Volkswagen Group Research technology does not simply display video images, which is how a head-up display system works. It also analyses them to create warning strategies and provide “targeted advice” to the driver. So as not to distract the driver unnecessarily, the footage captured is only ever displayed in situations that are potentially critical.

For more information, visit: www.vw.co.uk

Safety-first initiative for fleet staff
Volkswagen has put in place a string of safety-related measures to reduce the on-the-road risks faced by its high-mileage fleet department staff. The measures range from providing information and advice to pro-actively managing appointments and journey schedules to reduce time spent behind the wheel, to providing driver training for field-based staff, who clock up upwards of 40,000 miles a year.

While initially a fleet department programme, the initiatives are being keenly monitored by the fleet departments of Volkswagen’s sister brands – Audi, SEAT and Skoda – which may decide to adopt them in the future. The safety-first initiative began with Volkswagen engaging risk management experts DriveTech to carry out a risk assessment on the fleet department’s 15 field-based employees.

An initial interactive hazard awareness and perception programme to gauge the risk level of staff was followed by bespoke on-the-road driver training. Both on-the-road and personal safety guidance has also been provided by DriveTech to Volkswagen’s 11-strong new customer account team. This ranged from the number of hours that should be spent safely on the road without a break, to not becoming distracted while behind the wheel, as well as where to park safely.

Volkswagen head of fleet services Vince Kinner explains: “We want to make sure that our staff are aware of all the dangers they face and provide them with information and advice that will make them feel comfortable both on the road and when visiting customers for the first time, which frequently takes them into unfamiliar territory.” The safe driving initiative that began with the field-based team may, in the future, be extended to senior managers in Volkswagen’s fleet department and Business Centre staff. Meanwhile, Volkswagen has introduced mapping technology in its fleet department to enable journey times to be calculated so “reasonable” meeting schedules can be compiled.

Mr Kinner says: “We are aiming to make our staff more efficient. Business efficiency is core to our success, but it is also allied to the wellbeing of our employees. “We do not want any of our staff arriving at an important meeting stressed out because they have miscalculated the length of time that a journey will take. “It also means that they may have taken risks on the road to arrive at their destination and that is quite unacceptable.” A further safety-focused initiative sees satellite navigation being introduced as standard in Passat company cars driven by the account team. “We are starting the initiative with the account team because they are the only people in the fleet department who visit business premises for the first time,” explains Mr Kinner.

“We do not want our staff to be reading maps as they drive along.” Other initiatives already adopted by Volkswagen include frequent driving licence checks (which can take place up to four times a year), a drink-driving policy – which can lead to dismissal – and strict rules on the use of mobile telephones while driving.

Vehicles are equipped with fitted hands-free phones, but staff are encouraged to ensure conversations are brief and that detailed discussions only take place when safely parked. Mr Kinner says: “Not only is this a safety-first policy, but it also encourages our employees to take a break from driving while they have their telephone conversations. “There was some resistance to the move initially, but it has now become common practice. We don’t want complex discussions being held while they are trying to navigate their way along the outside lane of a motorway.”

Safety-related technology fitted in some Volkswagen models includes panic buttons that enable car doors to be locked and a pre-set safety warning on the multi-function indicator, which flags up when a two-hour drive has been completed and suggests that a break is taken. “Fortunately, our staff have not been involved in any major incidents and we don’t want them to be,” Mr Kinner continues. “As a responsible employer, we want our people to feel as comfortable as possible while out and about and we are taking these measures to improve their wellbeing as well as their awareness,” concludes Mr Kinner.




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