Paccar Parts has announced it is launching a retrofit package for the potentially life saving technology of Autonomous Emergency Braking on earlier model Kenworth trucks in Australia.
With Australia adopting new Australian Design Rules or ADRs for trucks this year Paccar Parts can now give give earlier model Kenworths a major safety boost that will bring them into line with the latest models with a significant step toward improving road safety for heavy vehicles.
Paccar Parts is launching ta retrofit Autonomous Emergency Braking for earlier model Kenworth trucks, bringing into line with the new standards introduced under the latest changes to the ADRs
As Paccar Parts said the new ADRs are aimed at improving road safety for heavy goods vehicles and came into effect in February this year and among these was ADR 97/00, which mandates the fitment of Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) to most heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVM.
The company points out that AEB systems are designed to detect likely forward collisions, alert drivers, and then automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond.
according to Brett Medlin, the technical and account manager for leading truck braking system specialist Knorr-Bremse, the crucial technology seeks to minimise the severity of in-lane frontal collisions, particularly in monotonous highway driving conditions,
“With the new mandates in effect from February 2025, most new locally built trucks including Kenworth will come with the new safety systems installed by default, so it’s important for drivers to be aware of the technology and how it operates,” Brett Medlin said.
“Bendix Fusion is an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), designed to enhance vehicle control and safety across diverse driving conditions.,” he added.
“The technology is already fitted as standard on most new Kenworth models, ensuring compliance with ADR 97/00,” Medlin said.
Paccar claims to have been an early adopter of AEB technology, equipping locally-manufactured Kenworths with the Bendix Fusion technology with the launch of the T610 which was introduced in Australia in 2016.
The company points out that the integrated system combines radar, camera technology, and the Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program, to provide collision mitigation and enhanced braking capabilities to improve road safety.
“The collision mitigation system PACCAR uses on its locally-manufactured Kenworth trucks is the fully-featured version of Bendix Fusion that includes Enhanced Autonomous Emergency Braking, Enhanced Stationary Vehicle Braking, Multi-lane Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Highway Departure Warning and Braking,” Medlin said
“Nose-to-tail collisions is the second-most common accident involving trucks after rollovers. In scenarios like a car cutting off a truck, or moving out from a lane of stationary traffic in front of the truck, the Bendix Fusion braking system applies the brakes in a much faster way than a driver can react,” he said
“AEBS is not just relevant for new trucks, compatible older vehicles can be upgraded with the latest life-saving technologies to better support drivers in safety critical situations,” Medlin shared.
Paccar Parts says it is now providing its customers with the ability to upgrade certain older model Kenworth trucks that are compatible with the latest Bendix Fusion system.
“Most Kenworth trucks that have an electronic stability program could have the electronic brake controller upgraded with the Bendix Fusion system. So long as its got the right level of electronics and valves on the truck, you can retrofit it,” according to Medlin.
“AEBS not only improves the safety of these vehicles, but a lot of tenders including government, construction and grocery projects specify the level of technology that must be on the truck, including the fitment of AEBS,” he added.
Paccar says customers who are considering retrofitting the Bendix Fusion system to their vehicles should speak to their Paccar Parts dealer.
The company says that the dealer will coordinate with its technical team and Knorr-Bremse’s technical support team to ensure the chassis number is compatible and guide the implementation of the retrofit safety system.
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