Keeping the Dirty-Side Down

by Tire groups lobby for reserve pressure capacity requirement for tires

Typically, by the time you realize your tractor-trailer is turning turtle it’s too late to do anything but curse and hold on — your trailer is well on its way and the tractor is next to go.

Of all the so-called high-tech safety products you hear about, rollover-prevention devices generate keen interest among fleet managers. The latest comes to North America from Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, which in December announced the availability of Roll Stability Control (RSC) for tractors and Roll Stability Support (RSS) for trailers.

The RSC system focuses on a vehicle’s centre of gravity and the lateral acceleration limit or rollover threshold. Meritor WABCO engineers studied the dynamics of a rollover and developed algorithms calculating the critical lateral acceleration limit. When those thresholds are exceeded, RSC intervenes to slow the tractor using the engine, retarder, and anti-lock braking system.

RSS is an independent system for trailers. Available from trailer OEMs by mid-2003, the technology is integrated in the trailer electronic braking system (EBS) requiring no additional hardware. Similar to the tractor’s RSC system, the RSS focuses on lateral acceleration and wheel speed, monitoring the critical acceleration limit. If this limit is exceeded, the trailer brakes are automatically applied, stabilizing the vehicle.

www.meritorwabco.com; 1-800/535-5560.


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