Thomas Built Buses is introducing factory-installed Meritor WABCO SmartTrac electronic stability control (ESC) on its pneumatically braked Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses.
Starting this month, Thomas Built Buses will offer SmartTrac ESC, an active vehicle safety system that intervenes automatically when there is a high risk of rollover or directional instability that could lead to loss of vehicle control.
“We’re delighted to partner with Meritor WABCO, a recognized pioneer in advanced stability control systems, to make Thomas Built school buses an even safer way to travel,” said Ed Swaim, product manager for Thomas Built Buses.
Stephen Hampson, president and general manager for Meritor WABCO, added: “We applaud Thomas Built Buses for its leadership position in school bus safety. Electronic stability control helps prevent accidents and improves the safety of schoolchildren across America.”
When faced with potential rollovers and loss-of-control situations, drivers may not always realize that their vehicle is becoming critically unstable until the point of no return is already reached. Meritor WABCO’s SmartTrac ESC intervenes by constantly comparing the vehicle’s actual movement to performance models using various vehicle sensors. If the vehicle appears to leave the driver’s intended path or exceeds a critical acceleration threshold, the SmartTrac ESC safety system works to try and help the driver maintain control. The system applies the appropriate brakes selectively and better aligns the vehicle to the driver’s intended path of travel.
Rollover is the second-most harmful event for single school bus crashes, according to NHTSA.