Australasian Bus & Coach - May 2018

(^28) ABC May 2018 busnews.com.au
COVERSTORY NEW PRODUCT
NOT OUT OF SIGHT, NOT OUT OF MIND
ABA 4 warns the driver and triggers braking

• all to avoid accidents and protect more
  vulnerable road users, says Daimler. With
  pedestrian recognition, ABA 4 warns the
  driver visually and audibly of any potential
  collision and also triggers partial braking.
  “This gives the driver every opportunity
  to prevent a collision with a pedestrian: the
  driver can warn the pedestrian using the
  horn, initiate maximum full-stop braking or
  steer to avoid the collision.”
  ABA 4 with pedestrian recognition is

based on next-gen radar technology, also

featuring in the latest Mercedes-Benz cars

and trucks. The electronically scanning

multi-mode radar comprises long and short

range radar systems.

The long-range radar registers multi-

track vehicles and stationary obstacles

at a maximum distance of up to 250m

in a direct line in front of the coach, with

single-track vehicles such as bicycles at up

to 160m, and pedestrians at up to 80m.

The short-range radar, “has a maximum

range of 70m and is even able to recognise

pedestrians and vehicles to the sides

ahead of the coach.” The first brake assist

debuted in 2008. Active brake assist 3 was

introduced in 2014.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks was the first

manufacturer worldwide to get ABA 4 with

pedestrian detection and sideguard assist

for the Mercedes-Benz Actros, it’s stated,

following its unveiling late September 2016

at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in

Hanover, Germany.

been on a 21-hour virtually non-stop shift

and, yes, the bus driver was thankfully

found not at fault at all, but who is to say

evolution of such technology – if not now –

couldn’t prevent such instances in future?

In that context, the S 531 DT is a

luminary of such safety capability that

arguably would, could, or should be

regulation standard in cities around the

world – today!

RUNWAY STUNNER

Love or loathe double-deckers, few bus

fans would be quick to knock the looks of

this Setra. She’s a pretty thing with style

and elegance to match, worthy of the

Setra TopClass 500 series.

As a new feature, the two windscreens

are seamlessly joined together and

structured by an aluminium bar. On the

side wall, the designers adapted the

brand’s hallmark ‘La Linea’ aluminium

strip, which now extends horizontally

along the edge of the roof.

Yet pragmaticism underscores it

exterior; the Setra boasts outstanding

aerodynamics for its class, racking up a

slick drag co-efficient of 0.35.

All in the aid of fuel efficiency, the little

things count. At the front, “strongly curved

windscreens with large edge radii allow

the air to flow around the vehicle, while at

the rear recesses and airflow break-away

edges guide the airflow,” Daimler says.

Even the windscreen wiper on the

upper deck is vertical in its rest position –

a feature adopted from motorsport.

Inside, this Setra was designed to cover

all bases. The lower deck is variable, so

you can have rear-facing seats and work

desks, wheelchair bays, installations for

‘bistro buses’ (yep, think airline travel and

pre-ordered meals and drinks served

by certain operators), a demountable

platform with pram area for inter-city

lines, or with platform in the classic

seating for touring purposes.

Up front, there’s a choice of cockpit

appointment for the driver: the elegant

yet functional Setra ComfortClass 500

dash etc., or the more luxurious cockpit

from the TopClass 500.

It’s bright and modern throughout

the bus to give the impression of space,

says Daimler. The stairs between the

decks look inviting and safe thanks to

translucent acrylic plastic panelling on

the inside, evenly spaced two-tone steps

with individual lighting, landings and

continuous silver handrails.

Even the dunny and modern-look

washroom is set up diagonally for a bit of

extra room – you’ll be loving that during

those unpredicted long-haul ‘big jobs’.

And, on that note, the Setra’s optional

fragrance dispersing system – when

the ignition is turned on and door one

is opened, or when a door is left open –

automatically “dispenses a discreet and

unobtrusive yet highly pleasing scent”.

Whew!

LONG-DISTANCE BOOM

With more than 25 million passengers

per year in Germany alone and an ever-

expanding route network in Europe,

... the S 531

DT is primed

to maximise

the uptake

in European

tourism.