BUS JOURNEYS WITH MAN AND NEOPLAN: REACHING YOUR DESTINATION SAFE AND SOUND

ADDITIONS TO THE ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

A different safety aspect that is always the main priority on bus journeys is avoiding accidents. Technological advances in the assistance systems are enabling continuous improvements in driving safety. The MAN ComfortSteering electronically assisted steering system will be available for MAN and NEOPLAN buses from 2022. This hydraulic steering system is augmented by additional steering torque from an electric motor to make steering much easier and more comfortable. It means the ideal amount of electric steering power is available in every driving situation, so the electronic control unit relieves the driver and consequently ensures greater safety. Sensors in the assistance system constantly evaluate steering movements and vehicle data, such as speed and load. Depending on the situation, the ComfortSteering assists the steering movement by adding or subtracting steering torque. The steering wheel automatically reverts to the centre position if is released. The driver can also benefit from the force-enhancing assistance from added electronic steering torque during manoeuvring: with very little effort the bus can be manoeuvred with great precision and smoothness. MAN ComfortSteering also assists with lane maintenance during longer journeys. The active steering system automatically reduces the steering force at higher speeds by subtracting electronic steering torque.

Also new: from next year MAN will be offering Lane Return Assist (LRA) for its buses. MAN Lane Return Assist helps the driver to keep to a lane by actively steering the vehicle back into the lane. If a bus is about to leave its designated lane – without activation of the indicator – the system corrects the steering torque and automatically steers the vehicle back into its driving line. The driver can always override the corrective steering torque. The MAN ComfortSteering system is a prerequisite for equipping a bus with Lane Return Assist.

BLIND SPOTS NEEDN’T BE AN ISSUE

MAN OptiView is the world’s first mirror replacement system for coaches and was presented at the IAA in 2018. This digital system works by having two cameras on each side of the vehicle that project video images of the side and rear areas of the bus in real time onto two monitors located within the vehicle. They can display a larger area that is the case with conventional mirrors and enable the driver to have full oversight of blind spots. The driver also benefits from better visibility during rain, snow and at night, since each camera automatically adjusts the image to the respective situation. Even glare effects, caused for instance by headlights in the dark or when the sun is low in the sky, no longer impair visibility. But the system also scores points in terms of economic efficiency: because the use of OptiView reduces the air resistance of the bus by around ten per cent compared to vehicles with conventional mirror systems. The improved aerodynamics enable operators to reduce fuel consumption. This mirror replacement system is available for all NEOPLAN Skyliner, Cityliner and Tourliner models as well as for the MAN Lion‘s Coach.

Additional support in avoiding turning accidents is provided by the active warning turn-off assistant with pedestrian detection. It virtually gives bus drivers additional pairs of eyes, which are particularly helpful in intersection traffic. A front camera and cameras on both sides of the vehicle automatically monitor the surroundings. The system warns of collisions in the front area and when turning by means of visual and acoustic signals. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in the blind spot are reliably detected. The turn-off assistant is available for MAN and NEOPLAN buses ex works and as a retrofit solution.

GREATER COMFORT AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

To relieve bus drivers to the greatest extent possible and make journeys in urban buses, interurban buses and coaches even safer and more comfortable, MAN Truck & Bus now offers over a dozen different assistance systems, some of which support an especially cost-effective driving style. These include MAN ACC Stop & Go, MAN EfficientCruise with EfficientRoll, MAN Comfort Drive Suspension (CDS), MAN AttentionGuard, MAN Lane Guard System (LGS) and MAN Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). “Increasing safety for all road users is what really motivates and drives us. That’s why we put so much of our experience and expertise into developing innovative assistance systems,” says Heinz Kiess, head of bus product marketing at MAN, adding: “But as well as improving safety, these also provide other benefits: many of our systems protect the environment, for instance, and contribute to optimisation of the total cost of ownership.”